Arsenal stretch lead in title race
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Thierry Henry's 20th goal of the season helped Arsenal to a nine point lead at the top.
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LONDON, England -- Goals in the opening four minutes from Robert Pires and Thierry Henry strengthened Arsenal's grip on the English title with a 2-1 home win over Charlton on Saturday.
The result leaves them nine points clear of Chelsea and champions Manchester United, who slip to third after being held to a 1-1 draw at Fulham.
Louis Saha gave United the lead at his old club, only for Luis Boa Morte to score an equalizer that shatters United's title hopes.
Chelsea go above United on goal difference after Eidur Gudjohnsen's 82nd minute strike gave them a fortunate three points at Manchester City. Former England striker Robbie Fowler missed a string of chances for City, who are slipping into the relegation battle.
Arsenal's win over Charlton stretched their unbeaten run in the Premiership to 27 games with French star Pires putting them on their way after two minutes with his 50th goal for the North London club.
Two minutes later Henry sidefooted his 20th of the season and with the home team in total control they should have added to their tally by half-time.
But Claus Jensen's goal from a 59th minute free kick set up a nervous finish for the league leaders, with Jonatan Johansson hitting the crossbar in a frantic finish.
United striker Saha was predictably given a hostile reception on his first return to Fulham since his 12.8-million-pound January move.
But he provided the perfect response to the boos in the 14th minute by firing his new employers ahead after a barnstorming run from just inside the Fulham half.
At that stage it looked as if Fulham were about to feel the full force of the backlash from United's recent dip in form.
But the defensive problems which have been at the root of the slump came back to haunt the champions mid-way through the second half when Boa Morte went round Wes Brown in the box and sent a left-foot shot whizzing into the far corner.
Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ryan Giggs came off the bench as United desperately sought an equalizer, but Fulham held firm.
Elsewhere, Everton dominated their match against Aston Villa but they had to wait until the last 20 minutes to find the breakthrough as Tomasz Radzinski and Thomas Gravesen secured all three points for the Merseysiders.
Kevin Phillips scored his fifth goal in six games as Southampton drew 1-1 at Blackburn Rovers. Former Manchester United striker Andy Cole pulled Rovers level after 52 minutes.
In the days other match, the relegation battle between Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers ended in a goalless draw to leave both deep in trouble.
