Lee Hendrie gave Aston Villa the lead with a 25-yard strike after three minutes - but the Gunners extended their unbeaten league run to 49 games with ease. Robert Pires scored from the penalty spot after Thierry Henry was fouled by Mark Delaney, and Henry scored the second himself before half-time.

Pires added a third after 71 minutes and Arsene Wenger's side are now five points clear at the top of the Barclays Premiership ahead of Chelsea's clash with Manchester City this evening.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson used four strikers at Birmingham but neither side could find the target at St Andrews. The home side were without five senior players through injury but matched the Red Devils for long periods and extended their unbeaten run to five games. Ruud van Nistelrooy had the visitors' best chance but fired his close-range effort straight at Maik Taylor just before the break - and the points were shared.

Milan Baros inspired a remarkable Liverpool comeback against Fulham at Craven Cottage. Luis Boa Morte scored twice in six minutes for the Cottagers in the first half - but Rafael Benitez's side fought back to win 4-2. Baros gave Liverpool hope just after half time when his effort looped in off Zat Knight and he equalised after 71 minutes when he pounced on a scramble in the penalty area.

Josemi was sent off for the visitors but Xabi Alonso scored with a deflected free-kick 11 minutes from time and Igor Biscan added a fourth. Kevin Davies scored a controversial winner against Crystal Palace as Bolton won at the Reebok Stadium.

Palace defenders thought Davies was offside when he headed in on the stroke of half-time. Kevin Nolan and Henrik Pedersen had chances to extend the lead but it remained 1-0 to the home side. The wheels fell off for Blackburn after Tugay was sent off against Middlesbrough at Ewood Park. The Turkey international was dismissed for two yellow cards after 30 minutes and Boro took full advantage in the second half.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink scored a hat-trick and George Boateng was also on target as Steve McClaren's side won 4-0. Everton snatched a last-gasp win against Southampton as Leon Osman scored the only goal of the game.Leon Best and Dexter Blackstock started in attack for the Saints at Goodison Park but neither could find the target.

David Moyes' side passed well and had a penalty shout when the ball hit Mikael Nilsson in the area - but Osman's goal was the difference between the sides.

Premiership newcomers West Brom and Norwich could not break the deadlock at The Hawthorns. Leon McKenzie fluffed a clear opportunity early on for the visitors and Mattias Jonson forced Russell Hoult into a save but it remained goalless. Canaries keeper Robert Green was rarely troubled and the points were shared.