Associated Press

London, January 2:

Chelsea beat Liverpool 1-0 to maintain its five-point lead in the Premier League, while Arsenal and Manchester United stayed in touch with victories as the top three sides all won away from home. Chelsea substitute Joe Cole scored with 10 minutes left, while Freddie Ljungberg scored twice and Robin van Persie added the other in Arsenal’s 3-1 defeat of Charlton. Manchester United beat Middlesbrough 2-0 in the late match with goals from Darren Fletcher and Ryan Giggs. The Red Devils were also given a boost when Everton, which started the day below United on goal difference, was hammered 5-2 by Tottenham.

In other results: Fulham 3, Crystal Palace 1; Aston Villa 1, Blackburn 0; Bolton 1, West Bromwich Albion 1; Manchester City 2, Southampton 1; Newcastle 2, Birmingham 1 and Portsmouth 1, Norwich 1. Chelsea lead the English Premier League with 52 points, followed by defending champions Arsenal on 47, Manchester United on 43, Everton on 40 and Middlesbrough on 35. West Bromwich Albion stays bottom, with Southampton

and Crystal Palace also in the relegation zone.