Gunners boss Arsene Wenger would have been looking to deflect attention from their off-the-field problems with a win - but he saw his side go behind on the stroke of half time with a sloppy goal.

Benjani Mwaruwari played a simple ball into the box but Gael Clichy and Mikael Silvestre collided and the ball fell to Stephen Ireland, who tapped home past the onrushing Arsenal captain Manuel Almunia.

The Spanish goalkeeper marked his 100th Gunners appearance by replacing William Gallas as skipper in the wake of the latter's critical comments about the team in midweek.

Robinho latched on to a Shaun Wright-Phillips throughball 10 minutes into the second half and chipped the ball over Almunia to complete the win and heap further pressure on Wenger.

Daniel Sturridge completed the rout in injury time when he calmly slotted home a penalty after being brought down by Johan Djourou in the box.

Liverpool could not find the target at Anfield despite dominating their match with Fulham, which finished in a 0-0 draw.

Rafael Benitez's side failed to take advantage of a host of chances either side of half-time and almost went behind on the stroke of half time through a Jimmy Bullard shot.

Robbie Keane, partnered by the returning Fernando Torres in attack, curled a shot wide in the first half and Dirk Kuyt had the Reds' best chance of the second period but his shot was masterfully saved by Fulham stopper Mark Schwarzer.

Chelsea failed to take advantage of Liverpool's slip up as they could not break down a determined Newcastle as their match at Stamford Bridge also ended goalless.

Frank Lampard had the Blues' best chance of the first half but he could only head an eighth-minute header at Shay Given in the Newcastle goal from a Florent Malouda cross.

Luiz Felipe Scolari brought on Michael Ballack and Salomon Kalou in the second half but they failed to break the deadlock leaving them level on points with Liverpool at the top of the league

Goals from Gretar Steinsson, Matthew Taylor and Johan Elmander gave Bolton a 3-1 win over Middlesbrough at The Riverside.

Gareth Southgate had been looking to extend his side's unbeaten run to six matches but saw them fall behind on eight minutes through Steinsson who then set up Taylor to double the visitors' lead two minutes later.

Boro pulled one back through Emanuel Pogatetz on 78 minutes but Elmander scored his second for the club just one minute later to secure the win.

A late own goal from Noe Pamarot denied Portsmouth all three points as they drew 2-2 with Hull at Fratton Park.

Portsmouth thought they had grabbed all three points when Glen Johnson volleyed a looping 30-yard volley halfway through the second half after Michael Turner had equalised Peter Crouch's opener.

But Pamarot headed the ball into his own net under pressure from Dean Windass with two minutes to go deny to Pompey all three points.

Mamady Sidibe scored a late header to give Stoke a vital 1-0 win over bottom side West Brom at the Britannia.

Sidibe rose to meet a Danny Higginbotham cross with six minutes left to head the winner in what was otherwise a largely uneventful match.