LONDON - An out-of-sorts Manchester United fell to a 1-0 defeat against Bolton in their Barclays Premier League clash at the Reebok Stadium.
Gary Megson's side went ahead after 11 minutes as Anelka took full advantage of some poor defending from Gerard Pique.
The Spaniard, replacing the injured Nemanja Vidic, completely missed Ivan Campo's floated free-kick with an attempted header and the ball fell kindly to Anelka who swivelled and fired a crisp drive past Edwin Van der Sar.
United offered little in the way of attacking threat throughout the opening period, and were missing the creativity of Cristiano Ronaldo, who had been rested by Sir Alex Ferguson.
After a sluggish start to the second period United finally clicked into gear and Carlos Tevez missed a glorious opportunity to salvage a draw for his side as he sliced wide from two yards when it appeared easier to score.
United's slip-up allowed Premier League leaders Arsenal to open up a three-point lead at the summit of the table thanks to their 2-0 win over Wigan.
Arsene Wenger's side toiled in the opening period and Emmanuel Adebayor was thwarted by a great save from Mike Pollitt after 21 minutes.
Theo Walcott had teed up the Togo international with a neat pass, but his low effort was expertly tipped round the post by the veteran stopper.
The Gunners continued to press in the second period, and were rewarded in the final 10 minutes as William Gallas (83) and Tomas Rosicky (85) sealed the three points.
Tim Cahill and Ayegbeni Yakubu both netted braces as Everton thumped sorry Sunderland 7-1 at Goodison Park.
Yakubu started the rout as his shot careered off the foot of Danny Higginbotham and looped over the unfortunate Craig Gordon.
After 17 minutes the Toffees had doubled their advantage as Cahill flashed a close-range drive past Gordon before Steven Pienaar added a third two minutes before the break.
Dwight Yorke gave Sunderland a lifeline going into the second period, though, as he beat Tim Howard after a goalmouth scramble in first-half stoppage time.
But any hopes the Black Cats had of finding a way back were extinguished just after the hour mark as Cahill again took advantage of some more slack defending by Paul McShane to slot past the onrushing Gordon, and substitute Andrew Johnson and Leon Osman completed the rout late on.
Stephen Ireland scored deep into stoppage time as Manchester City secured a 2-1 win over Reading.
Martin Petrov had put the hosts ahead after 11 minutes, thrashing home from 12 yards after an almighty goalmouth scramble which saw Elano's effort cannon back off the post.
James Harper pulled the visitors level two minutes before the break with a neat left-footed shot which left Andreas Isaksson rooted to the spot, but Ireland popped up at the death with a fantastic volley.
Portsmouth were 2-0 victors against Birmingham at St Andrews.
A howler from Birmingham goalkeeper Richard Kingson handed Portsmouth the lead.
There looked little danger as Sulley Muntari picked the ball up just inside the penalty area, but his weak shot squirmed through the body of the Jamaican and trickled over the line.
And the visitors added a second nine minutes from full-time as Niko Kranjcar fired home from distance.
Aston Villa were in fine form as they cruised past sorry Middlesbrough 3-0 at the Riverside Stadium.
John Carew's neat finish on the stroke of half-time put Villa ahead before Olof Mellberg doubled the visitor's advantage three minutes into the second period with a powerful effort.
Middlesbrough's woe was compounded as Gabriel Agbonlahor netted his sixth goal of the campaign after 58 minutes.
Scott Carson, who was jeered relentlessly by the home fans after his role in England's dismal defeat to Croatia on Wednesday, played a massive ball up field and after shrugging off the attentions of Jonathan Woodgate Agbonlahor drove a half volley which Mark Schwarzer was unable to keep out.
Liverpool were in rampant form in the day's early game as they cruised past Newcastle 3-0 at St James' Park.
Steven Gerrard bounced back from his England nightmare in midweek in fine style as his rising drive from a short free-kick put the visitors ahead after 28 minutes.
Dirk Kuyt added a second within a minute of the restart before substitute Ryan Babel made it 3-0 after 66 minutes.
It could have been even worse for the Magpies had Shay Given not mounted a determined, and at times solo, defence of his goal.
In Saturday's late game Chelsea overcame a spirited Derby outfit 2-0 at Pride Park.
Salomon Kalou put the visitors ahead after 17 minutes with a neat finish before Shaun Wright-Phillips doubled their advantage with a finish from close-range after Frank Lampard's shot had cannoned back off the post.
Chelsea's Michael Essien was dismissed deep into stoppage time for lashing out at Derby striker Kenny Miller.
