London - Manchester United defeated Bolton Wanderers 2-1 at Old Trafford to move to the top of the English Premier League on Saturday after Aston Villa had earlier come from behind to stun previous leaders Chelsea. An own goal from Zat Knight and Antonio Valencia's first goal since his summer move had sent the champions on their way but they were made to sweat late in the game after Matthew Taylor's goal for the away side.
The victory takes United one point clear of Chelsea at the top of the league on 22 points. Spurs remain in third spot, on 19 points after a 2-1 win at Portsmouth while Arsenal, with a game in hand, stay in fourth one point further back after a 3-1 win at home over Birmingham City.
After Chelsea's surprise defeat earlier in the day, the champions knew they had the chance to take full advantage, and it took them just five minutes to get off to the perfect start.
Good work down the left from Patrice Evra led to the goal as Michael Owen's attempted flick reached the defender Zat Knight, who made a mess of his attempted clearance and could only bundle the ball into his own net.
On the half hour, United doubled their advantage as Valencia claimed his first goal for the champions since his summer move from Wigan. The Ecuadorian winger finished powerfully at the near post after a good cross from Gary Neville.
Bolton put the champions under considerable pressure in the second half as Matthew Taylor rose above Evra to head past Edwin van der Sar with fifteen minutes remaining, but United managed to hold on for the win.
In the day's early kick off, Aston Villa came from behind to defeat Chelsea 2-1 at Villa Park, handing the visitors their second successive defeat away from home.
Goals from defenders Richard Dunne and James Collins overturned Didier Drogba's long range effort after fifteen minutes, which goalkeeper Brad Friedel will be disappointed he failed to handle.
Chelsea though were repeatedly troubled by the threat posed by the home side's set pieces and Dunne and Collins were able to take advantage of poor defending to score either side of half-time.
Despite excellent chances for Deco and Nicolas Anelka in the second half, Villa defended doggedly to hold onto their lead and move up to sixth in the table.
Harry Redknapp will be satisfied with his return to former club Portsmouth, as his Tottenham Hotspur side recorded a 2-1 win at Fratton Park with goals from Ledley King and Jermaine Defoe, who was then sent off for a stamp in the second half. Michael Brown also saw red for Portsmouth after picking up a second yellow card.
The result maintains Spurs' excellent start to the season as they remain in third place while Portsmouth stay rooted to the bottom of the table with just one win from their opening nine games.
Arsenal, still with a game in hand, moved to just four points off the top after a 3-1 victory at home over Birmingham City with goals from Robin van Persie, Abou Diaby and Andrei Arshavin.
The most bizarre moment of the day came at the Stadium of Light as Sunderland defeated Liverpool 1-0 through a freak early goal from in-form striker Darren Bent.
Bent's shot deflected off a stray balloon and past the helpless goalkeeper Pepe Reina to hand Liverpool their fourth league defeat this season.
Elsewhere, two goals from James Beattie gave Stoke City a 2-1 win at home over West Ham while Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers played out a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.
