Premier League Weekend Review
Sunday
Manchester United failed to take maximum advantage of defeats for title rivals Chelsea and Arsenal when they were forced to settle for a point from a 2-2 draw at Bolton.
United twice found themselves behind, first to Zat Knight's early flick and then to Martin Petrov's second-half effort.
But Nani's solo strike brought them level first time around before substitute Michael Owen flicked home the winger's free-kick to earnt his side a point.
As United have now conceded nine goals in five league games and trail leaders Chelsea by three points, it was not the best of weekends for them, nor an out-of-sorts Wayne Rooney, who was replaced half-an-hour from the end.
Emile Heskey's late goal enabled Gerard Houllier to emerge triumphant from his first Premier League match in charge of Aston Villa as they beat Wolves 2-1.
The former England striker celebrated his first league start for six months by heading home an 87th-minute cross from Stephen Warnock.
Matt Jarvis' first goal of the campaign looked to have rescued Wolves a point after Stewart Downing's close range effort separated the sides at half-time.
James Perch's own goal handed Stoke all three points as they won 2-1 atNewcastle by virtue of a concerted fightback.
Trailing to Kevin Nolan's 43-minute penalty after a poor first-half display, the Potters got themselves back on terms when Sunderland old-boy Kenwyne Jones headed home from close range with 67 minutes gone.
But there was worse to come for the Magpies when Perch headed Matthew Etherington's 85th-minute corner into his own net under pressure from Robert Huth.
Saturday
Manchester City ended Chelsea's 100% record in the Barclays Premier League this season with a 1-0 win over the table-toppers and champions at Eastlands.
A largely uninspiring early kick-off was settled by City captain Carlos Tevez, who drove at the Chelsea defence before unleashing a 20-yard strike which beat Petr Cech just before the hour mark.
The result brings to an end the leaders' five-match winning streak and draws Roberto Mancini's team level on points with Arsenal and Manchester United, who face Bolton on Sunday.
The Gunners' unbeaten run also came to an end at the Emirates Stadium, where they slipped to a shock 3-2 defeat to West Brom.
Chris Brunt missed a first-half penalty before Peter Odemwingie and Gonzalo Jara put the Baggies 2-0 up, the second goal coming courtesy of a gaffe by Gunners stopper Manuel Almunia.
Former Arsenal man Jerome Thomas scored a third with 20 minutes left before Samir Nasri pulled two back for Arsene Wenger's men, who suffered their first home defeat since January.
Steven Gerrard's second-half equaliser prevented Liverpool from succumbing to their third defeat in seven days as they had to settle for a 2-2 draw with Sunderland at Anfield.
Dirk Kuyt's controversial goal put Liverpool ahead after five minutes. After being awarded a free-kick by referee Stuart Attwell, Sunderland defender Michael Turner tapped the ball back to his goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, presumably believing he would take it.
Attwell judged the ball to be live though, allowing Fernando Torres to intercept before squaring the ball to Kuyt, who tapped home, much to the annoyance of the travelling team and fans.
Sunderland hit back soon after through a Darren Bent penalty before the England striker added his second to put the Black Cats 2-1 ahead.
Liverpool, who lost to Northampton in midweek, would have lost their third league game of the campaign had Gerrard not nodded home on the hour.
Daniel Agger should have won it for Roy Hodgson's side but he missed a sitter from six yards at the death.
The pressure on West Ham boss Avram Grant eased after he guided his side to their first league win of the season with a 1-0 victory in the London derby against Tottenham.
Frederic Piquionne leapt high to power home a Mark Noble corner just after the half-hour mark to move the Hammers up to 18th.
Everton sunk to the bottom of the table despite coming away from Craven Cottage with a creditable goalless draw against Fulham.
Mark Schwarzer did well to save from Mikel Arteta and Ayegbeni Yakubu to prevent Fulham from losing their first league game of the campaign.
An injury-time strike from Brett Emerton gave Blackburn a 2-1 win at Blackpool.
Substitute Matt Phillips thought he had rescued a point for the Tangerines after he drew the scores level following Charlie Adam's first-half own goal.
But Emerton pounced on a loose ball in the box in injury time to give Blackburn the win to end Blackpool's unbeaten home record.
In Saturday's other game, 10-man Birmingham endured a frustrating afternoon at St Andrew's, where they failed to break down a determined Wigan.
Craig Gardner was sent off in the dying minutes in an otherwise uninspiring encounter in which the Blues made it 18 games unbeaten at home, equalling the club's best run in the top flight.
Match Results
Sunday
Bolton 2-2 Manchester United
Wolves 1-2 Aston Villa
Newcastle 1-2 Stoke
Saturday
Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea
Arsenal 2-3 West Bromwich Albion
Birmingham City 0-0 Wigan Athletic
Blackpool 1-2 Blackburn Rovers
Fulham 0-0 Everton
Liverpool 2-2 Sunderland
West Ham 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur
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