Pires keeps Gunners on top, Wolves win at last

London - Liverpool's Premiership title ambitions were dealt a potentially fatal blow as Arsenal came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory at Anfield.

The three points kept the Gunners a point clear of Manchester United at the top of the table and leaves Liverpool nine points adrift of the leaders.

A stunning 25-yard strike from Robert Pires secured Arsenal's win after a Sami Hyypia own goal had cancelled out Harry Kewell's opener for Liverpool.

"You have seen the qualities in this side, first a great resilience and togetherness when it was very difficult and, in the second half, when we came back to our fluent game," said Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger.

Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier was left to reflect on his team's third defeat in eight matches but he snapped at suggestions that his side's title hopes had disappeared.

"We will have to see about that. Do you want me to commit suicide just yet?" said the Frenchman.

Manchester United remained a point behind Arsenal after ending Birmingham's unbeaten start to the season with a 3-0 victory at Old Trafford.

Birmingham had held out for over half an hour but saw their chances of avoiding defeat destroyed when goalkeeper Maik Taylor was sent off for pulling down Paul Scholes in the box.

Ruud van Nistelrooy smashed home the resulting penalty for his eighth league goal of the season. Scholes added a second with a trademark strike from the edge of the area 12 minutes after the break and Ryan Giggs rounded things off eight minutes from time.

"We took a bit of time to get the opening goal," admitted United boss Alex Ferguson.

"It was a bit unfortunate for Taylor because he had to go for it, but the mandate for referees is that he was the last man and he brought Scholesy down."

At the other end of the table, Wolves claimed their first win of the season by beating Manchester City 1-0 and Leeds eased the pressure on under-fire manager Peter Reid with a 2-1 win over Blackburn.

Scottish midfielder Colin Cameron was Wolves' hero, his 75th minute header enough to secure the Midlands club's first win in the top flight of English football since May 1984.

"We had the determination to put things right and it was down to hard graft from the players," said a relieved Wolves boss Dave Jones.

Midfielder Seth Johnson scored both Leeds goals, sweeping home the rebound after Brad Friedel failed to hold a Mark Viduka shot after 11 minutes and then firing in a left foot volley 16 minutes later.

Dino Baggio headed Blackburn back into contention four minutes from time but Leeds held out for three points which lifted them out of the relegation zone.

"It's been strange for Peter this week," said Leeds assistant manager Kevin Blackwell.

"Everyone knows he is a bubbly character but he's been a lot quieter. We wanted to give the gaffer the right platform and, any decision he makes, he does so from a position of strength."

Leicester found themselves back in the drop zone after a 2-0 defeat at Fulham.

Portuguese striker Luis Boa Morte struck in either half as Fulham shrugged off Steed Malbranque's first half penalty miss to move into fourth spot in the table having been tipped as relegation material at the start of the campaign.

"It's so far, so good," said Fulham boss Chris Coleman.

"I'll be happy if we've proved all the critics wrong at the end of the season."

Alan Shearer's 250th league goal of his career was enough to give Newcastle their first win of the season at the expense of Southampton.

Newcastle remain in the relegation zone however as Tottenham continued their upturn under caretaker manager David Pleat with an impressive 3-0 win over Everton at White Hart Lane.

"We've had a fine win, but we haven't moved so it will take time," said Newcastle boss Bobby Robson.

"But we've got matches ahead of us which we should do reasonably well in and pick up points."

Frederic Kanoute's fifth Premiership goal since his summer move from West Ham - a stunning 30-yard volley - set Spurs on their way and Everton were killed off by goals from Gus Poyet and Robbie Keane in the space of four minutes after the break.

Spurs are now unbeaten in three matches since Glenn Hoddle was sacked last month and Pleat is emerging as a potential candidate to succeed him.

Portsmouth slumped to a third straight defeat as Charlton came from behind to secure a 2-1 win at Fratton Park.

Teddy Sheringham had put the home side ahead in the 34th minute but his effort was cancelled out by Jon Fortune before South African striker Shaun Bartlett grabbed all three points with a bullet header in the final minute. -- AFP

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