Manchester United and Chelsea turned up the heat in the English Premier League football title race with thumping victories that left Arsenal struggling to hang on.
Frank Lampard struck four goals for Chelsea in a 7-1 demolition of Aston Villa to put the London club briefly on top with 71 points before United responded with a 4-nil victory at Bolton Wanderers, Dimitar Berbatov scoring twice for the champions.
United, chasing a record 19th top-flight title, have 72 points while Arsenal are third on 68 after Birmingham City netted in stoppage time to earn a 1-all draw at St Andrews.
Tottenham Hotspur strengthened their grip on fourth spot with a 2-nil home win over relegation-bound Portsmouth while West Ham United lost 1-nil at home to Stoke City, their sixth league defeat in succession.
West Ham are out of the bottom three only on goal difference after Hull City matched them on 27 points with a 2-nil victory over Fulham. Wolverhampton Wanderers maintained their improved form with a nil-all draw against Everton.
