Man City miss opportunity to go top

Arsenal prevented Manchester City from going top of the Premier League while keeping up their own pursuit of the title with a 1-1 draw.

With Arsenal still reeling from a demoralising 6-0 loss at Chelsea last weekend, David Silva completed a counter-attack to put City in front in the 18th minute.

But conceding early made Arsenal more assertive and Mathieu Flamini turned Lukas Podolski’s cross into the net to level eight minutes into the second half.

Arsenal, who haven’t lost at home since the opening day, stay fourth but are now only five points behind Chelsea.

Chelsea’s earlier shock 1-0 loss at Crystal Palace presented third-placed City with a chance to take control of the league, but a draw means they lie third with two games in hand on Mourhino’s men. 

Terry own goal

Chelsea captain John Terry scored an own goal to gift Crystal Palace a 1-0 victory, weakening the west London team’s grip on the Premier League lead.

The veteran centre back headed Joel Ward’s cross past his own goalkeeper, Petr Cech, seven minutes into the second half at Selhurst Park.

Palace could even have cause to grumble at Lee Mason’s officiating, as twice in the space of two first-half minutes the referee rejected penalty claims when Gary Cahill challenged Cameron Jerome and then Yannick Bolasie.

Both might have been given in other circumstances but Palace, who were organised, resilient and dangerous on the counter-attack, put the incidents behind them to earn victory.

Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni twice denied Eden Hazard, the second a fine save when the Belgium midfielder was through one-on-one.

But Palace ended a five-match winless streak with a much-needed victory that put them five points clear of the relegation zone.

Rooney seals points

Wayne Rooney scored two first half goals to help send Manchester United to a 4-1 win over a spirited Aston Villa, temporarily lifting the gloom surrounding David Moyes’ dismal first term in charge.

The Old Trafford crowd, many of whom booed an anti-Moyes banner that was flown over the ground as the match started, had further cause to grumble when Ashley Westwood put Villa ahead with a 13th minute free-kick.

Rooney headed United level six minutes later before putting them ahead from the penalty spot just before halftime as he moved into fourth spot in the all-time Premier League scoring charts.

Christian Benteke missed two glorious chances to draw Villa level before Spaniard Juan Mata scored his first goal since his big money move from Chelsea in January.

Substitute Javier Hernandez rounded off the win in injury time as United moved to 54 points, nine off fourth-placed Arsenal in the final Champions League spot.

Elsewhere, Southampton produced a resounding 4-0 victory over Newcastle, West Bromwich Albion and Cardiff drew 3-3, Stoke clinched a 1-0 victory over Hull and Swansea produced a 3-0 victory over fellow struggler Norwich.