Saturday's English Premiership Round-up

An impressive debut from Andrey Arshavin failed to lift Arsenal to victory over a stubborn Sunderland.
The Russian almost scored twice in the first 15 minutes, shooting just wide and then seeing a drive well saved. Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner also went close, while Dean Whitehead and Anton Ferdinand had shots kept out. Carlos Vela, William Gallas and Van Persie all missed late chances, as Arsenal's hopes of a Champions League spot were dealt another blow.

Guus Hiddink's Chelsea reign started with a vital victory at Aston Villa that keeps their flickering Premier League title hopes alive.
Nicolas Anelka sealed the points with a clever finish in the 19th minute after he was set up by Frank Lampard. John Terry saw a header saved by Brad Friedel and another cleared off the line by Stiliyan Petrov. Ashley Young struck the bar with a free-kick for Villa in the first half, but Chelsea survived to seal the win. It was a display of contrasts from Hiddink's new charges, with Chelsea outstanding in the first 45 minutes, but showing signs of vulnerability after the break when Martin O'Neill's side pressed. Hiddink, however, will only be interested the three points that take them above Villa into third place in the table.

Two goals in as many first-half minutes gave Bolton victory over West Ham.
Matt Taylor gave them a dream start with a curling free-kick, followed instantly by Kevin Davies turning in Johan Elmander's cross to make it 2-0. Mark Noble and David di Michele wasted clear chances and Carlton Cole saw a goal-bound header cleared off the line as West Ham tried to cut the deficit. Their persistence was rewarded when Scott Parker scored from close range but an equaliser proved beyond them.

Manchester United moved eight points clear at the top of the Premier League after a hard-fought win over Blackburn.
Wayne Rooney lashed in a shot to put United ahead before a precise Roque Santa Cruz finish levelled matters. Jonny Evans' header was controversially disallowed for the home side before Ryan Nelsen hit the post for Rovers. Cristiano Ronaldo powered in a superb free-kick for United's winner, and Morten Gamst Pedersen was denied a penalty late on for the visitors. The Norwegian winger looked to have been pulled back by Rafael Da Silva when he was clean through on goal and the decision not to award a spot-kick provoked a furious response from Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce.

But given Rovers are third from bottom and two points away from safety, Allardyce's side can be encouraged by their display, troubling a United side that has been sweeping aside all before them in recent weeks. Blackburn also have the honour of becoming the first side to score against United since 8 November, 2008 when Sir Alex Ferguson's side were beaten by Arsenal.

Middlesbrough's miserable run continued as they were held at home by Wigan, making it a club record 14 Premier League games without victory.
A dismal first half was notable only for the departure of Didier Digard on a stretcher following a tackle by former Boro midfielder Lee Cattermole. Stewart Downing had the best chance of the half, his well-struck effort turned behind by Chris Kirkland. The keeper also saved late on from Gary O'Neil in a desperately poor game.

Portsmouth earned a dramatic point against Stoke City thanks to an injury-time own goal by Ryan Shawcross.
A drab game came alive after 75 minutes when David Nugent set up Niko Kranjcar to slide Pompey in front. James Beattie quickly levelled from the spot after Glen Johnson was adjudged to have handled then, seconds later, he put Stoke ahead from close range. Pompey poured forward and got their reward when Shawcross deflected Hermann Hreidarsson's cross into his own net.

Given the lack of quality that had been on display for most of the game at the Britannia Stadium, it was an unexpectedly exciting finish - but a draw was the fairest result. A point apiece does little to improve either side's prospects at the bottom of the Premier League table but, given their wretched away form, Pompey will probably be more satisfied with the outcome.