( dpa ) - Cristiano Ronaldo's 31st goal of the season gave Manchester United a 1-0 win at Derby County on Saturday and lifted them above Arsenal at the top of the English Premier League.
The Portugal forward broke the deadlock on 75 minutes to lift United one point above Arsenal, though the Gunners could regain top spot later on Saturday by beating Middlesbrough.
Chelsea stayed in touch, just three points behind United, after a 1-0 win at Sunderland thanks to a goal from captain John Terry.
Liverpool moved three points clear of Everton in fourth place after a 2-1 win over Reading. Marek Matejovsky fired Reading into a surprise lead after five minutes, but Javier Mascherano equalized with his first goal for the club and Fernando Torres headed the winner early in the second half.
Portsmouth moved above Aston Villa into sixth after beating Martin O'Neill's team 2-0 through goals from Jermain Defoe and an own goal from Nigel Reo-Coker.
West Ham United ended a run of three 4-0 defeats with a 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers in the day's other match, with 18-year-old Freddie Sears heading the winner.