Leaders make no mistake

Premier League leaders Liverpool were still looking down on their rivals after a 3-0 win over Bolton Wanderers during today's Boxing Day programme. Chelsea, who had briefly gone top after an early kick-off victory, remained a point behind in second place after beating basement club West Bromwich Albion 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Reigning champions Manchester United, in their first domestic match since winning the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan, stayed seven points off top spot, with two games in hand, after winning 1-0 away to Stoke City. But it was a frustrating day for the other member of the 'big four' as Arsenal surrendered a two-goal lead in stoppage-time in a 2-2 draw away to Aston Villa, the Midlanders retaining their place amongst the leading quartet.

Earlier, Manchester City moved out of the bottom three with a spectacular 5-1 win over Hull City. Their victory was an ideal response to fellow strugglers West Ham United's 4-1 win over Portsmouth earlier in the day.

Wigan Athletic beat Newcastle United 2-1, while Everton defeated Middlesbrough 1-0. The London derby between Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland's game against Blackburn Rovers both ended in goalless draws.

Albert Riera volleyed Liverpool into a sixth-minute lead at Anfield when he got on the end of a Steven Gerrard corner. Liverpool captain Gerrard also played a key role in making it 2-0, the England midfielder's pass to Robbie Keane the prelude to a powerful shot.

Keane then took his personal tally to three goals in two games when he turned in a Yossi Benayoun cross. The former Spurs striker had been under pressure but Liverpool assistant manager Sammy Lee said: "We have had no doubts in Robbie's ability or his work-rate, and what he adds to this club is immense.

First-half goals from Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard sent Chelsea on their way to a comfortable victory. "It was a classic centre-forward's goal - a powerful header," Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins said of Drogba's opener.

United had to wait until seven minutes from time for their goal at the Britannia Stadium. It was only after Stoke right-back Andy Wilkinson was sent off for a second bookable offence that Carlos Tevez scored for United.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said victory left his side well-placed to maintain their title-bid. "If we could get to New Year's Day a couple of points adrift of the leaders we would be very happy," Ferguson said.

Villa hit the woodwork three times in the first half only for Arsenal to open the scoring through Brazil midfielder Denilson in the day's late kick-off.

The visitors were 2-0 up at Villa Park nine minutes after half-time when a brilliant exchange of passes between Abou Diaby and Emmanuel Eboue ended with the France midfielder beating Brad Friedel.

Villa, however, grabbed a lifeline when England midfielder Gareth Barry scored a 65th minute penalty after Gabriel Agbonlahor was brought down by William Gallas. Arsenal, not for the first time this season, could not see out the game with Villa's Zat Knight scoring in stoppage time.