Champions Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw by Aston Villa, Liverpool lost 2-0 at Bolton Wanderers and Arsenal had to come from behind to beat Charlton Athletic 2-1 on a trying Saturday for the Premier League's top clubs.
Chelsea's Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba, who hit a Champions League hat-trick in their midweek win at Levski Sofia, opened the scoring in the second minute. But Villa winger Gabriel Agbonlahor levelled on the stroke of halftime to earn Martin O'Neill's side a point and end Chelsea's 11-match winning run at home in all competitions.
A controversial strike by midfielder Gary Speed set Bolton on their way against Liverpool, while Dutch forward Robin van Persie scored twice for Arsenal at The Valley, two days after Arsene Wenger celebrated 10 years as club manager.
Manchester City snatched a late 1-1 draw at Everton, while Sheffield United were facing Middlesbrough in the late kickoff.
Chelsea were clear favourites for their game at Stamford Bridge, having won every Premier League game there since January and made a dream start with Drogba's eighth goal of the season.
However, Villa have been transformed under O'Neill and their fightback was rewarded when 19-year-old Agbonlahor headed an equaliser. Over at The Valley, Arsenal were trailing to a Darren Bent strike before Van Persie levelled in the 32nd minute and followed up with an absolute stunner four minutes after the break -- volleying home a cross from the right from Emmanuel Eboue.
Liverpool's Spanish keeper Jose 'Pepe' Reina was judged by a linesman to have carried the ball outside his area before clearing upfield. Ivan Campo teed up the resulting free kick for Speed, in his 750th league game, to lash home on 30 minutes.
BENITEZ'S FRUSTRATION
However, television replays indicated Reina was inside his area and Liverpool's Spanish manager Rafael Benitez could not hide his frustration and annoyance.
"It's clear that a mistake has been made," Benitez told the club's Web site. "Pepe let go of the ball inside the area and then kicked it outside. The linesman was in a bad position.
"I knew at the time it was a mistake but what can you do? "Every week we can talk about incidents but nothing changes. It's annoying."
Campo headed Bolton's second goal in the 51st minute, hoisting his side to second in the table on 14 points, two behind Chelsea.
Manchester United, who play Newcastle on Sunday, are third on 13 points.
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