John O'Shea scored a dramatic late winner as Barclays Premiership leaders Manchester United snatched a crucial 1-0 victory at Liverpool on Saturday afternoon.
United were outplayed for much of the match at Anfield but grabbed all three points when Ireland defender O'Shea turned in from close range after a Cristiano Ronaldo free-kick in injury time.
Liverpool spurned a number of opportunities to take the game but United held firm, despite the sending off of Paul Scholes, to take another huge step towards the title.
Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou scored the goals to earn defending champions Chelsea a 2-0 win at Portsmouth and ensure their title hopes are still alive.
But they were made to work hard at Fratton Park and needed two brilliant saves from Petr Cech to keep them in front after Drogba's superb opener.
Kalou then put the game beyond doubt with nine minutes remaining when he slipped the ball under David James after Ashley Cole had headed on Frank Lampard's punt upfield.
Arsenal beat Reading 2-1 to move within a point of Liverpool after with two second-half goals at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners made the breakthrough after 49 minutes when Gilberto struck from the penalty spot following a foul on Gael Clichy by Andre Bikey.
Julio Baptista added a second with a solo effort to settle the game on 62 minutes although Reading grabbed a consolation when Cesc Fabregas - who missed a sitter in the first half - put through his own net late on.
Charlton snatched a vital point against Watford in a 2-2 draw as they came from 2-0 down to at Vicarage Road.
Darren Ambrose headed the equaliser a minute from time after Luke Young had got his side back into the game with a tight finish on 67 minutes.
The Hornets had led since the 15th minute when Hameur Bouazza smashed home on the rebound after Scott Carson had saved a header from Damien Francis, who added a second six minutes later.
Meanwhile Wigan secured an important 1-0 win over Manchester City at the City of Manchester Stadium.
Caleb Folan, who scored against City for Chesterfield earlier this season, repeated the feat as he headed in the only goal from a Leighton Baines cross after 18 minutes. City pressed heavily in the second half but Wigan's resolute defence held out for the win.
Aston Villa had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Fulham after seeing their first-half lead quickly cancelled out.
Norwegian John Carew put the visitors into the lead after 21 minutes at Craven Cottage but the hosts responded immediately to level at 1-1. Carlos Bocanegra headed in the equaliser after he was left unattended at a Franck Queudrue free-kick.
Mikel Arteta smashed in a penalty equaliser as Everton drew 1-1 against battling Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
Rob Hulse had put the Blades on course for victory when he finished brilliantly with a shot across goal from a Colin Kazim-Richards cross on 52 minutes. Everton got back into the game after goalkeeper Paddy Kenny dropped a high ball and brought down Andrew Johnson in the ensuing scramble. Arteta's goal was given after his penalty bounced down over the line off the bar.
The Tyne-Tees derby between Newcastle and Middlesbrough at St James' Park ended goalless.
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