Arsenal were just seconds away from suffering the second frustrating blow to their championship aspirations in just four days after their midweek draw at Liverpool. However, although Fulham's Steed Malbranque had cancelled out Pires' early opener, the Frenchman was on hand to force the ball home from close range after substitute Francis Jeffers had pounced inside the penalty area.
Golden oldie Gianfranco Zola kept Chelsea's Champions League charge on course with the magnificent 25-yard free-kick which clinched a point in today's lively London derby with Tottenham. The evergreen Italian hit the 12th goal of his wonderful season to cancel out Teddy Sheringham's strike for Spurs and earn a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.
Ruud van Nistlerooy's 25th goal of the season and a Ryan Giggs strike gave Manchester United their fifth consecutive Premiership win against a battling Southampton and saw them back to second in the table thanks to the 2-0 victory.
Ten-man West Brom clung on for a priceless victory at Maine Road as Robbie Fowler's Manchester City debut ended in disappointing defeat. Darren Moore bundled home a second-half winner for the visitors, who had taken the lead through Neil Clement, only for Phil Gilchrist to equalise when he headed into his own net.
Late goals from Youri Djorkaeff and substitute Delroy Facey secured a valuable three points for Bolton Wanderers. Birmingham twice came from behind through Robbie Savage and Clinton Morrison but ran out of steam with the final goals coming six minutes from the end to see Everton win 2-0.
Tomasz Radzinski heaped more misery on Leeds and Terry Venables by winning the penalty and then scoring the clincher for Everton at Goodison Park. After a week of Elland Road turmoil, Leeds were beaten by two second half goals. Radzinski was brought down for the penalty that was put away by Dave Unsworth, before the tough little striker added the second himself.
Sunderland's position in the Premiership deteriorated from dangerous to desperate after a calamitous game which saw them concede at two Michael Proctor own goals and lose 3-1 to Charlton. The defeat and West Brom's victory over Manchester City saw Sunderland sink to the bottom of the Premiership for the first time this season. Charlton skipper Mark Fish was credited with the first goal while Kevin Phillips scored from the penalty spot late on.
Filed by Johnny Proby
