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Scholes goal puts United back on top

Cesc Fabregas fired Arsenal into the lead against Burnley © Getty Images

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Saturday football gallery

Paul Scholes found the perfect moment to net his 100th Premier League goal, as his strike handed Manchester United a 1-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers. United were without their injured talisman Wayne Rooney and it showed as they found life tough at Molineux. With Arsenal and Chelsea fans starting to believe that Wolves would hold on, a mistake from Jody Craddock handed Scholes his chance.

The defender lashed his clearance straight at Scholes on 74 minutes and fell over attempting to rectify and the veteran made him pay with a neat finish.

Sam Vokes should have snatched a point for Wolves at the death but somehow fired over the bar from seven yards when it looked easier to score than miss.

The win lifted United back to the summit of the table, two points ahead of Chelsea and Arsenal - although the former do have a game in hand.

Arsenal moved level on points with Chelsea after defeating Burnley 3-1.

Theo Walcott, who was described this week as "lacking a footballing brain" by Chris Waddle, silenced his critics by bagging Arsenal's second before Andrey Arshavin sealed the win in injury-time.

Cesc Fabregas, who went off injured prior to half-time with a hamstring complaint, gave the Gunners the lead in the opening 45 by volleying through the legs of Brian Jensen.

With Nicklas Bendtner profligate in front of goal, David Nugent equalised against the run of play with a well-judged lob over Manuel Almunia. Walcott reclaimed Arsenal's lead, curling a left-footed effort inside the near post on 60 minutes, and substitute Arshavin added the gloss to the scoreline.

Bolton Wanderers climbed above West Ham in the table after Owen Coyle's side won 2-1 at Upton Park.

Kevin Davies headed in to score Bolton's first away goal in six games to give Bolton a ninth minute lead, before Jack Wilshere - on loan from Arsenal - doubled the Trotters' advantage just seven minutes later with his first Premier League strike.

The Hammers were unable to capitalise on the dismissal of Bolton's Tamir Cohen, who was shown a second yellow card for tripping Scott Parker, despite a late Alessandro Diamanti goal.

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