Henry sinks Wigan, Chelsea hit form

Wigan Athletic's six-game winning streak in the Premier League came to an end yesterday with a 3-2 defeat by Arsenal in a rip-roaring clash at the JJB Stadium.

Leaders Chelsea got back to winning ways with a 3-0 defeat of Newcastle United while Manchester United began life without Roy Keane by beating Charlton Athletic 3-1 at the Valley.

Wigan's record crowd of 25,000 were treated to a pulsating first half in which a classy Arsenal raced into a 2-0 lead after 21 minutes through Robin Van Persie and Thierry Henry.

Henri Camara gave second-placed Wigan a lifeline with a diving header after 28 minutes, only for Henry to restore Arsenal's two-goal cushion with a delicious free kick past keeper John Filan.

Wigan, who have enjoyed a superb start to their first season in the top flight, hit back again on the stroke of half-time when Jimmy Bullard's deft turn left Sol Campbell on his backside before shooting past Jens Lehmann.

Arsenal survived some late pressure to hold on for a first away league victory of the season, although Wigan boss Paul Jewell was far from downhearted.

"We can take a lot of positives out of that," Jewell told Sky Sports. "We showed great character to get back into the game. At the end, they were playing with three centre halves on the pitch which was a back-handed compliment to us."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said collecting a first away victory could be a turning point in their season.

"I feel my team is developing well from game to game and we are becoming a stronger force," said the Frenchman, who also had praise for Wigan. "We were mentally and physically tested by a determined, brave Wigan team," he said.

Champions Chelsea were frustrated during a goalless first half at Stamford Bridge where midfielder Frank Lampard equalled the Premier league record of 149 consecutive appearances.

Second-half goals from Joe Cole, Hernan Crespo and Damien Duff secured victory following defeat by Man. United two weeks ago and extends their lead at the top to nine points.

Confidence returned

"Newcastle are not the easiest side to play against, they are well-organised," Mourinho said. "But, after the first goal, the confidence returned."

He added that midfielder Claude Makelele was a doubt for the midweek Champions League game against Anderlecht after hobbling off early following a tackle on former team mate Scott Parker.

United responded to the sudden exit of skipper Keane on Friday with an impressive victory at Charlton to move up to third, 10 points behind Chelsea with a game in hand. Alan Smith put the visitors ahead in the first half with his first goal since May and Ruud Van Nistelrooy scored a late double after Darren Ambrose had equalised for Charlton.

"It has been a difficult week for the club," said United manager Alex Ferguson, "but it was vital we backed up our victory over Chelsea.

"Van Nistelrooy's finish was unbelievable and his goal came at a vital time, just after they equalised."

Liverpool cruised to a 3-0 victory over struggling Portsmouth at Anfield, despite a penalty miss from Peter Crouch, but city rivals Everton fell back into the bottom three after a 4-0 humiliation at West Brom.

Results

Premier League

Charlton 1
Man. United 3

Chelsea 3
Newcastle 0

Liverpool 3
Portsmouth 0

Man. City 0
Blackburn 0

Sunderland 1
Aston Villa 3

West Brom 4
Everton 0

Wigan 2
Arsenal 3

Playing today
M'boro vs Fulham 5 p.m.
Tottenham vs West Ham 2 p.m.

Tomorrow
Birmingham vs Bolton 9 p.m.

The Championship
Burnley-Leicester 1-0
Coventry-Ipswich 1-1
Crewe-Stoke 1-2
Derby-Wolves (Friday) 0-3
Norwich-Luton 2-0

Plymouth-QPR 3-1
Preston-Cardiff 2-1
Reading-Hull 3-1
Sheffield United-Millwall 2-2
Southampton-Leeds 3-4
Watford-Sheffield Wednesday 2-1

Playing today

Brighton-Crystal Palace 2.30 p.m.

Premier scorers

10 goals Lampard (Chelsea), Van Nistelrooy (Manchester Utd)

7 goals Bent (Charlton), Henry (Arsenal)

6 goals Drogba (Chelsea), Aiyegbeni (Middlesbrough)

5 goals Cole (Man. City), Nolan (Bolton)

Next fixtures

Saturday: 4 p.m. Arsenal vs Blackburn; Aston Villa vs Charlton; Manchester City vs Liverpool; Sunderland vs Birmingham; Wigan vs Tottenham. 6.15 p.m. Portsmouth vs Chelsea.

Sunday: 2.30 p.m. Everton vs Newcastle. 3 p.m. Fulham vs Bolton Wanderers; 4 p.m. Middlesbrough vs West Brom. 5 p.m. West Ham vs Manchester United.

Wednesday, NOV. 30: 8.45 p.m. Sunderland vs Liverpool.