Premiership round up
Manchester United swept to a 2-0 victory over champions Arsenal, while Liverpool crashed to a 2-0 defeat at Charlton Athletic today as the Premiership title race was thrown wide open.
Goals in either half from Juan Sebastian Veron and Paul Scholes gave United an emphatic victory at Old Trafford, propelling Alex Ferguson's men to third in the table and just three points behind leaders Arsenal.
Struggling Liverpool, now with only one point from five games, were floored by goals from Jason Euell and Paul Konchesky, surrendering second place in the table to Chelsea - who were 3-1 winners over Everton.
Chelsea, who had thrashed Everton 4-1 in the League Cup at Stamford Bridge in midweek, showed their title credentials with goals from Mario Stanic, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Jesper Gronkjaer to close within two points of Arsenal.
Bolton Wanderers drew 1-1 with Blackburn Rovers in the Lancashire derby, while Leeds United's woeful season under Terry Venables continued as they lost 1-0 at Fulham, their fourth league defeat in a row.
West Ham United earned a 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough, Southampton's James Beattie took his tally to 11 in eight games by scoring both goals in a 2-0 win over Birmingham City and Alan Shearer headed a late winner as Newcastle United defeated Aston Villa 1-0.