Chelsea challenge falters

Radzinski denies Arsenal
Goals from England midfield player Paul Scholes and Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooij steered United to victory at the Reebok stadium, with Youri Djorkaeff pulling one back for Bolton in the 89th minute. Meanwhile, a 75th-minute equaliser from Everton's Canadian forward Tomasz Radzinski denied Arsenal maximum points at Goodison Park. Nigerian forward Nwankwo Kanu had earlier given the Londoners the lead.

Cheyrou downs Chelsea
However, the night's biggest losers were Chelsea, who were beaten by Frenchman Bruno Cheyrou's first-half strike and now find themselves seven points off the title pace, despite Liverpool losing Senegal winger El Hadji Diouf to a late red card. United lead the table with 49 points, Arsenal have 46 and Chelsea stay third on 42.

Charlton fourth
Charlton Athletic FC are fourth on 31 points after Paolo Di Canio earned them a 1-1 draw at Manchester City FC. Liverpool and Newcastle United FC, who beat Leeds United AFC with a strike by captain Alan Shearer, have now both closed to within two points of the final UEFA Champions League qualification place in the division.

Spurs win
Tottenham Hotspur FC moved out of the bottom three with a comfortable 4-1 home win against Birmingham City FC, with Stéphane Dalmat scoring twice, while Middlesbrough FC were narrow 2-1 winners against Fulham FC, who drop to seventh.

Wolves denied
Bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers FC were denied three points by Blackburn Rovers FC striker Dwight Yorke's late equaliser which clinched a 2-2 draw. The match between Southampton FC and Leicester City FC finished goalless.