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Top three Premiership sides start with a win

Manchester United's Carlos Tevez watches high-flying Medhi Naft of Birmingham City during their Premier League soccer match in Manchester, England, on Tuesday. PHOTO: EPA

It was a case of as you were at the head of the Premier League as the top three sides all enjoyed a winning start to the year.

Leaders Arsenal remained two points in front with a 2-0 New Year's Day victory over West Ham at the Emirates Stadium.

Elsewhere on Tuesday, reigning champions Manchester United stayed hot on Arsenal's heels after a 1-0 success at home to Birmingham City.

Chelsea cemented their grip on third position by coming from behind to win 2-1 at Craven Cottage as Roy Hodgson's first match as manager of relegation candidates Fulham ended in a west London derby defeat.

Liverpool, who headed into the New Year in fourth place, were at home to Wigan yesterday.

Portsmouth, who in September defeated Reading in an 11-goal spectacular, won 2-0 in a match where the Royals played most of the game with 10 men.

Everton beat Middlesbrough by the same scoreline and in the day's late kick-off Aston Villa defeated Tottenham 2-1 at Villa Park.

Portsmouth's Sylvain Distin, front, is challenged for the ball by Reading's David Kitson during their English Premier League soccer match at Madejski Stadium in Reading, England, on Tuesday. Portsmouth won 2-0. PHOTO: AP

Arsenal were ahead as early as the second minute at the Emirates Stadium when Eduardo scored his third goal in two league matches.

And the Gunners were 2-0 up in the 18th minute when Gael Clichy's long pass released Emmanuel Adebayor.

"It was quite comfortable in the end because we did the job early and controlled the game," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said.

Carlos Tevez broke the deadlock at Old Trafford in the 25th minute when he made no mistake after being played in by Cristiano Ronaldo's cheeky backheel.

But worryingly for United, Tevez had to be helped into the dressing room at full-time with an ankle problem after being on the receiving end of a strong first-half challenge.

"He is doubtful for Saturday now [when United play Villa in the FA Cup]," United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said.

Reflecting on the match, the Scot was unhappy with United's display and the lack of support from the Old Trafford faithful.

"We were very careless in our finishing and when that happens you leave the door open," he said.

Ferguson added: "It was a funny game because the atmosphere in the ground wasn't very good either. I thought it was dead. We needed them [the crowd] to lift us a little bit. We didn't get that today."

Fulham gave Hodgson, a replacement for the sacked Lawrie Sanchez, an early boost through Danny Murphy's 10th minute penalty after Moritz Volz was seemingly clipped in the box by Joe Cole.

But the Cottagers have had a problem hanging onto a lead this term and Chelsea were level in the 54th minute when Alex's flick-on was headed in by Salomon Kalou.

Minutes later Chelsea went ahead when Germany's Michael Ballack, the captain of an injury-hit side, scored from the penalty spot after his shirt had been tugged by Clint Dempsey.

Fulham stayed second-bottom with just Derby County below them.

"I thought the attitude and desire of the players was very good," an upbeat Hodgson said.

Reading were a man down in the third minute at the Madejski Stadium after Ibrahima Sonko was red-carded for a foul in the box on Portsmouth striker Benjani Mwaruwari.

But from the resulting penalty Pompey, who beat Reading 7-4 at Fratton Park, saw Croatia midfielder Niko Kranjcar hit the post.

However, they went ahead in the ninth minute when Sol Campbell scored from close ranger after Reading goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann dropped Sulley Muntari's free-kick and Pompey's Papa Bouba Diop headed on.
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