體壇英語資訊：Arsenal suffer setback as Chelsea, Liverpool move on

LONDON, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United all won on Saturday to continue their Premier League title charges while Arsenal further damaged their chances after losing 2-0 at home to Aston Villa. Villa struck twice in the last 20 minutes, with Gael Clichy heading in an own goal, to seal their first win at Arsenal in 15 years.

Arsenal were condemned to a fourth league defeat of the season and are now nine points behind the leaders.

Chelsea and Liverpool still marched abreast. Rafa Benitez eased past Bolton 2-0 and Nicolas Anelka's two goals led Chelsea to a 3-0 victory over last-place West Bromwich Albion.

The two sides are at joint top on 32 points with Chelsea ahead on goal difference.

Manchester United took advantage of Arsenal's defeat and moved into third place by thumping Stoke City 5-0 at Old Trafford with Cristiano Ronaldo twice on target for the champions.

United are eight points behind Chelsea and Liverpool but have agame in hand.

Tottenham went back into the bottom three after their unbeaten run under new boss Harry Redknapp were snapped by a 2-1 defeat to Fulham.

Sunderland jumped from 19th to 11th place after a 2-1 victory at Blackburn Rovers, who sank into the relegation zone.

Ten-men Wigan snatched a last-gasp equaliser in a 2-2 draw at Newcastle while West Ham's search for a victory goes on after they were held 0-0 at home by Portsmouth.

The win at Bolton ensured Liverpool maintained the pressure on their rivals as they seek their first title since 1990.

Dirk Kuyt brilliantly headed the visitors in front from Fabio Aurelio's cross after 28 minutes.

Bolton, who were outplayed for long stretches, mounted a spirited effort after the break only for any hope of a comeback tobe snuffed out by Gerrard's close range header with 18 minutes left.

"We were under pressure so that goal was very crucial for us," Betinez said of the Gerrard goal, "after that, the game was over."

"We had two or three clear chances in the first half and at the end we could have had a couple more, but the second goal was the key."

Anelka was again in the spotlight as Didier Drogba, who is facing Football Association charges after throwing a coin into the crowd in their midweek Carling Cup defeat against Burnley, was put onto the bench by Scolari.

Jose Bosingwa opened the scoring on 34 minutes, smashing his shot into the top corner. Anelka ran clear to dink home a second four minutes later and then made it 3-0 before the break after latching on to Salomon Kalou's pass.

At the Emirates, Clichy headed Ashley Young's cross into his own net after 70 minutes and Gabriel Agbonlahor raced clear to add a second 10 minutes later to give Villa a deserved win.

The result undid all Gunners' good work of upsetting Manchester United last Saturday and is massively frustrating for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.

"It was a very bad afternoon because we were not sharp physically and beaten everywhere in the first half," said Wenger.

"We can play very well, but at the top level performances have to be consistent.

"I always say the first sign of quality is consistency, so this was frustrating after beating Manchester United."

LONDON, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United all won on Saturday to continue their Premier League title charges while Arsenal further damaged their chances after losing 2-0 at home to Aston Villa. Villa struck twice in the last 20 minutes, with Gael Clichy heading in an own goal, to seal their first win at Arsenal in 15 years.

Arsenal were condemned to a fourth league defeat of the season and are now nine points behind the leaders.

Chelsea and Liverpool still marched abreast. Rafa Benitez eased past Bolton 2-0 and Nicolas Anelka's two goals led Chelsea to a 3-0 victory over last-place West Bromwich Albion.

The two sides are at joint top on 32 points with Chelsea ahead on goal difference.

Manchester United took advantage of Arsenal's defeat and moved into third place by thumping Stoke City 5-0 at Old Trafford with Cristiano Ronaldo twice on target for the champions.

United are eight points behind Chelsea and Liverpool but have agame in hand.

Tottenham went back into the bottom three after their unbeaten run under new boss Harry Redknapp were snapped by a 2-1 defeat to Fulham.

Sunderland jumped from 19th to 11th place after a 2-1 victory at Blackburn Rovers, who sank into the relegation zone.

Ten-men Wigan snatched a last-gasp equaliser in a 2-2 draw at Newcastle while West Ham's search for a victory goes on after they were held 0-0 at home by Portsmouth.

The win at Bolton ensured Liverpool maintained the pressure on their rivals as they seek their first title since 1990.

Dirk Kuyt brilliantly headed the visitors in front from Fabio Aurelio's cross after 28 minutes.

Bolton, who were outplayed for long stretches, mounted a spirited effort after the break only for any hope of a comeback tobe snuffed out by Gerrard's close range header with 18 minutes left.

"We were under pressure so that goal was very crucial for us," Betinez said of the Gerrard goal, "after that, the game was over."

"We had two or three clear chances in the first half and at the end we could have had a couple more, but the second goal was the key."

Anelka was again in the spotlight as Didier Drogba, who is facing Football Association charges after throwing a coin into the crowd in their midweek Carling Cup defeat against Burnley, was put onto the bench by Scolari.

Jose Bosingwa opened the scoring on 34 minutes, smashing his shot into the top corner. Anelka ran clear to dink home a second four minutes later and then made it 3-0 before the break after latching on to Salomon Kalou's pass.

At the Emirates, Clichy headed Ashley Young's cross into his own net after 70 minutes and Gabriel Agbonlahor raced clear to add a second 10 minutes later to give Villa a deserved win.

The result undid all Gunners' good work of upsetting Manchester United last Saturday and is massively frustrating for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.

"It was a very bad afternoon because we were not sharp physically and beaten everywhere in the first half," said Wenger.

"We can play very well, but at the top level performances have to be consistent.

"I always say the first sign of quality is consistency, so this was frustrating after beating Manchester United."