LONDON: Premier League leaders Liverpool were still looking down on their rivals after a 3-0 win over Bolton Wanderers during yesterday’s Boxing Day program.

Chelsea, who had briefly gone top after an early kick-off victory, remained a point behind in second place after beating basement club West Bromwich Albion 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Meanwhile reigning champions Manchester United, in their first domestic match since winning the Club World Cup in Japan, stayed seven points off top spot, with two games in hand, after winning 1-0 away to Stoke City.

Aston Villa and Arsenal, third and fifth respectively.

At the other end of the table, Manchester City moved out of the bottom three in spectacular style by defeating Hull 5-1.

Their victory was an ideal response to fellow strugglers West Ham’s 4-1 win over Portsmouth earlier in the day.

Wigan beat Newcastle 2-1 while Everton defeated Middlesbrough 1-0. The London derby between Fulham and Tottenham and Sunderland’s game against Blackburn both ended in goalless draws.

Albert Riera volleyed Liverpool into a sixth-minute lead at Anfield when he got on the end of a Steven Gerrard corner.

Liverpool captain Gerrard also played a key role in making it 2-0, the England midfielder’s pass to Robbie Keane allowing the Republic of Ireland international to run onto the ball and lash it past Jussi Jaaskelainen. Keane then took his personal tally to three goals in two games when he turned in a Yossi Benayoun cross.

First-half goals from Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard sent Chelsea on their way to a comfortable victory.

United had to wait until seven minutes from time for their goal at the Britannia Stadium. It was only after Stoke right-back Andy Wilkinson was sent off for a second bookable offense that Carlos Tevez scored for United.

Two-goals apiece from Felipe Caicedo and Brazil star Robinho helped Manchester City put a run of six games without a win behind them in all competitions during a dazzling display at Eastlands.

Caicedo opened the scoring in the 15th minute when, after Robinho had played a superb lob pass forward, he turned in Stephen Ireland’s cross.

The Ecuadorian had his and City’s second 12 minutes later, with Ireland again the provider.

Irish international Ireland was once more the instigator for City’s third releasing Robinho who finished in stylish fashion.

Robinho made it 4-0 in the 36th minute finishing from close range for a picture-book goal after a superb cross from Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Craig Fagan pulled one back for Hull in the 80th minute before Ireland got the goal his play deserved eight minutes from time.

Pompey took the lead through Nadir Belhadj before Jack Collison equalized.

Before half-time the hosts missed a penalty when former West Ham forward Jermain Defoe shot wide and, after the break, the Hammers pulled away thanks to a goal from Carlton Cole and two from Craig Bellamy.

Everton’s Australia international Tim Cahill again scored from a corner, following-up after his header was saved.

Ryan Taylor put Wigan in front with a 25-yard free-kick just before the half-hour mark at the JJB Stadium.

Amir Zaki added a second from the penalty spot 17 minutes from time after Newcastle’s Sebastien Bassong was sent-off for bringing down Emile Heskey.

Newcastle scored a penalty of their own but Danny Guthrie’s goal two minutes from time came too late for the Magpies.