Arsenal came from behind to beat Bolton Wanderers 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday and open up a five-point Premier League lead over the Lancashire club in the chase for the fourth Champions League place.
Former Arsenal striker Nicolas Anelka put Bolton ahead with a close range goal after 11 minutes but an equaliser from Tomas Rosicky (31) and a second from Cesc Fabregas (46) ended Arsenal's four-match run without a win and lifted them to 59 points from 33 matches.
It was the 14th time this season that Arsenal had come from behind to avoid defeat and meant they took a firm grip on fourth place ahead of Bolton, who stay on 54 points having played one more match. An afternoon that started so well for Sam Allardyce's team ended in disappointment after Spanish defender Ivan Campo was sent off in the closing stages.
Liverpool stayed in third place, two points ahead of Arsenal after drawing 0-0 at Manchester City. League leaders Manchester United and second-placed Chelsea are involved in FA Cup semi-finals this weekend. In a vital relegation battle at Bramall Lane, Sheffield United lifted themselves out of the drop zone with a 3-0 win over West Ham United, who stay one off the bottom.
It was the first time this season the Blades had scored three times in a match as Michael Tonge, Phil Jagielka and Jon Stead's goals also ensured it was their biggest win of the season. West Ham went into the match as the team in form after three straight wins while Sheffield United had lost their last three, but defeat for the Hammers leaves them mired in trouble, one off the bottom and five points from safety. "Both teams knew it was a massive game today. I tried to relax the players all week and I think that showed," Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock told Sky Sports.
In the other matches played on Saturday, Portsmouth beat Newcastle United 2-1, Aston Villa won 3-1 at Middlesbrough and Reading beat Fulham 1-0 for their first win in seven league matches.
Aston Villa came from behind to inflict a 3-1 defeat on Middlesbrough, managed by Villa old boy Gareth Southgate, with goals from Craig Gardner, Luke Moore and Stilian Petrov. The weekend programme continues on Sunday when Everton host Charlton Athletic and Tottenham Hotspur visit Wigan Athletic.
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