London - Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was relieved to hold on for a 2-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers on Saturday after the visitors' late fightback had threatened to prevent his side overtaking Chelsea at the top of the English Premier League. The champions' eventual victory saw United move one point clear of Chelsea, who were defeated 2-1 by Aston Villa in the day's early kick-off, at the top of the league on 22 points. Spurs and Arsenal recorded victories to keep up the pace just behind the top two, but Liverpool fell further behind after defeat at Sunderland.
United had looked to be coasting to the top of the table after first half goals from Antonio Valencia and an own goal from Zat Knight. But Matthew Taylor's goal with fifteen minutes remaining was followed by increasing pressure from the visitors with the champions having to hang on desperately to claim the win.
Ferguson acknowledged the pressure Bolton had exerted on his side in the second half.
"It was harder than it should have been. For the last ten minutes, there was a bit of panic because Bolton are the type of team that can cause anyone problems", said the United manager.
"But we played well in the first half and we had a lot of opportunities to finish the game", Ferguson said.
Earlier in the day, poor defending cost Chelsea the chance to stretch their lead at the top as Aston Villa came from behind to win 2-1 at Villa Park.
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.
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti singled out his side's defending from set pieces as the reason for the defeat.
"We lost because we had two set plays. We want to do better for sure and we need more concentration", the Chelsea boss said.
Jermaine Defoe scored and was then sent off against his old club at Fratton Park as Tottenham defeated Portsmouth 2-1 to stay in third place.
Rivals Arsenal recorded a straightforward 3-1 victory over Birmingham City at the Emirates Stadium. The win keeps Arsene Wenger's team in fourth place, just four points from the top with one game in hand on the leaders.
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 that deflected off a balloon that had strayed onto the pitch from the away supporters.
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.
