Terry on top as Chelsea end Arsenal’s title hopes

Arsenal's title challenge hit the buffers as they were beaten by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Wayne Rooney was on target yet again as United beat Portsmouth and Liverpool reclaimed fourth spot thanks to a derby win over Everton, while their rivals dropped points.

REMEMBER '1-0 to the arsenal'?

Arsene Wenger is a shrewd and intelligent football manager who has achieved great things at Arsenal, but why are his teams so often found out in the same way? As an advocate of pretty, passing football Wenger as assembled a vastly talented and young squad, but yet again they were beaten by a side that is strong at the back, muscular in midfield and incisive on the break.

And for the umpteenth time during Wenger's reign the Gunners were guilty of trying to pass the ball into the net . It is all very well to be regarded as a great footballing side but if, as seems likely, they finish a fifth consecutive season without silverware questions will be asked of Wenger's philosphy and personnel.

Arsenal used to take great delight in grinding out 1-0 wins and their fans must be starting to hanker after the days when they would beat the best through force of will and determination, rather than promising much and delivering little.

terry and chelsea are still an item

Whatever the rest of the country thinks of John Terry he'll always have friends at Stamford Bridge. The ex-England captain was given a standing ovation by the Chelsea crowd and went on a lap of honour after his side beat Arsenal. He beat his chest and kissed the Chelsea badge before throwing his shirt into the stands following the game.

It was another commanding performance from the Blues skipper who set up Chelsea's first goal and helped hold Arsenal at bay in defence.

The debate over whether Terry's private life should impact on his playing career will rumble on, but he continues to be a dominant figure on the field. He may no longer be England's skipper but he will be a crucial member of the team if England are to mount any kind of challenge at the World Cup.

mayhem on merseyside

In an era where footballers are decried as nothing more than mercenaries it was refreshing to see the millionaires of Merseyside going at it hammer and tongs in the Liverpool Everton derby. Both sides were obviously up for it and there could have been more than just the two sendings off.

The match obviously meant a lot to all the players, whether Dutch, Argentinian, Belgian, South African or Greek, and there was no quarter given. It was often the English contingent who seemed the calmest of the bunch and the usually feisty Tim Cahill acted as peacemaker on several occasions.

The most pumped up of the lot appeared to be Marouane Fellaini. His contribution included kicking Dirk Kuyt in the face and then tangling with Sotirios Kyrgiakos. Liverpool's Greek defender was given his marching orders for his two-footed lunge on the Belgian, but replays suggested that Fellaini's stamp was as bad, if not worse.

nothing changes at manchester city

Mark Hughes was afforded plenty of sympathy when he got the bullet from Manchester City's Arab owners, but the impact his successor Roberto Mancini had on the team meant that Hughes was quickly forgotton. But Hull's shock win over City means that Mancini has now lost as many league games in two months as his predecessor managed in four.

Hull were good value for their win and George Boateng's unstoppable volley, which gave them a 2-0 lead, was one of the fiercest goals of the season.

City gave debuts to Adam Johnson and Patrick Vieira, and Wayne Bridge returned from injury but they were still found wanting. City now lie in sixth place, but have two games in hand over fourth placed Liverpool - they must not lose either of them if they are to reclaim fourth spot.

Man united 2 portsmouth 3 (OG)

When you are out of luck, you are really out of luck. If a visit to Old Trafford to play a United team featuring Wayne Rooney in the form of his life wasn't enough, Pompey contrived to score three of United's five goals for them.

After Wayne Rooney headed United in front, Anthony Vanden Borre scored the first of the own goals, deflecting Nani's cross into his own net. Then Michael Carrick's drive hit Richard Hughes and flew in and finally, after a Dimitar Berbatov goal, Marc Wilson smashed a volley past David James as he tried to clear a cross.

The result leaves Portsmouth six points adrift at the bottom of the table and their chances of escaping relegation are as realistic as Arsenal's title hopes. It would appear that whoever becomes the club's fifth owners of the season, their first task will be to win promotion from the Championship 2011.