WOLVERHAMPTON 

The Premier League had a familiar look about it this weekend as Liverpool climbed into the top four to put the so-called 'big 4' occupying the top 4 spots in the league, Chelsea may of ended Arsenal's title hopes with a win over their close rivals whilst Manchester United thumped Portsmouth to stay hot on the heels of Carlo Ancelotti's men.

Dirk Kuyt's 50th Liverpool goal gave his side a 1-0 win in a fiery 213th Merseyside derby at Anfield which saw both teams reduced to 10 men. The Dutchman scored for the fourth time in as many games with a close-range header 10 minutes after half-time.

Liverpool played the last 55 minutes at a numerical disadvantage after Sotirios Kyrgiakos was dismissed for a two-footed challenge on Marouane Fellaini, while Steven Pienaar was shown a second yellow in second-half injury time.

Liverpool have now gone seven Barclays Premier League matches without defeat, keeping six clean sheets in the process.

Wayne Rooney collected the Player of the Month award before kick-off then helped Manchester United thump Portsmouth 5-0 at Old Trafford. The England striker broke Pompey's resistance with his 23rd goal of the season, equalling a career-best total, as United returned to the top of the table.

That goal gave Sir Alex Ferguson's side the impetus they needed and Portsmouth collapsed. United added a second on the stroke of half time with Nani's effort taking two deflections.

Michael Carrick had similar luck in the second half and Dimitar Berbatov was also on target before Marc Wilson put the ball into his own net.

Didier Drogba's deadly double powered Chelsea to a 2-0 win over Arsenal which moved them back to the top of the Premier League table on Sunday. John Terry's life may be in turmoil off the pitch but the disgraced England captain remains as inspirational as ever in a Chelsea shirt as the Blues put an end to Arsenal's remaining title dreams at Stamford Bridge.

It was perhaps inevitable that Drogba's first goal in the eighth minute arrived courtesy of a glancing header from Terry.

The victory restored Chelsea's two-point lead over Manchester United at the top of the table and, more significantly, increased the gap over third-placed Arsenal to nine.

Hull followed up their midweek draw with Chelsea by defeating Manchester City 2-1 at the KC Stadium on Saturday to climb out of the drop zone. Phil Brown's side had not won since November but were buoyed by their performance against the Blues and deservedly took a 31st-minute lead through the impressive Jozy Altidore.

City then found themselves two down nine minutes after the break thanks to a rocket from George Boateng and, although Emmanuel Adebayor quickly pulled one back, they rarely threatened to equalise.

Elsewhere, Spurs and Bolton could only manage home scoreless draws against Aston Villa and Fulham respectively, Stoke defeated Blackburn 3-0 at The Britannia Stadium whilst Burnley beat West Ham 2-1 at Turfmoor and Birmingham secured a 2-1 victory against rival Wolves at St.Andrews.

Stoke and Portsmouth are once again discussing a possible loan move for David James.

The Potters were hopeful of bringing in the England international goalkeeper earlier this month but later pulled out of a deal.

It emerged they were unhappy at being asked to pay all of James' wages, with Pompey keen to ease their financial concerns. However, the switch could now be back on as the two clubs have decided to resume talks.

"Its reared it's head again, but we'll have to wait and see what comes of it," Stoke boss Tony Pulis said.

Everton are pressing hard to try and seal a deal for French star Hatem Ben Arfa.

The one-time darling of Ligue 1 has long-since been heralded as a potential successor to Zinedine Zidane. Everton officials were understood to be present in Marseille on Wednesday evening, as the home side sealed a 2-1 win over Le Mans.

After the match Ben Arfa was asked about Everton's presence at the Stade Velodrome:

"Really? Still, I am at Marseille. If they want to look at me, they look at me - that is their job."

West Ham United's new co-owner David Sullivan has confirmed that manager Gianfranco Zola will remain in charge of first-team affairs.

With the Hammers currently struggling at the wrong end of the table it had been thought the club's new owners could axe the popular Italian.

When questioned on whether Zola was staying at the helm Sullivan said: "Absolutely. He's categorically staying.

"I'll be sitting down with him to work on transfer targets. We as outsiders realise he needs a few additions to enhance his chances of staying in the Premier League."

Cesc Fabregas has stated that no team in the Premier League wants to win the title more than his Arsenal side.

At the Emirates in midweek the Gunners will be strong favourites to claim another three-point haul and should they win by two goals or more will go above Chelsea in the table.

Key to their immaculate form of late has been a series of inspired displays from Fabregas, who can already boast 10 league goals to his name this season.

"I'm sure other teams will think the same as us, that they can win the league, but there will be no team that wants it more, that's for sure," said Fabregas.