Arsenal go top, Blackburn sniff survival

Robert Pires sent Arsenal top of the premier league on Tuesday as his 69th minute goal gave the London club a precious 1-0 home win over battling Derby County.

The single goal was enough to take Arsenal to 60 points, two clear of United, who host Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday when third-placed Liverpool (56 points) are also in action against fourth in the table Newcastle United (55) at Anfield.

"We were a little bit slow at the start but the players gave a lot in the second half," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told Sky Sports TV.

"Their keeper kept them in the game and the whole Derby team fought well but we worked very hard for that win."

Tuesday's two other games were important in the battle against relegation as third-last Blackburn Rovers outclassed Aston Villa 3-0 to move within a point of Bolton Wanderers, who lost 1-0 at Sunderland.

Second-bottom Derby have 26 points, Blackburn 29 and Bolton 30 -- along with Ipswich Town and Everton.

Derby, who had managed only seven points away from home all season, had produced an attacking performance to draw 2-2 with Manchester United two days ago.

But they went to Highbury to defend on Tuesday and the different approach nearly paid off.

Arsenal dominated in terms of possession but were unable to create much in the way of chances in the first half.

Thierry Henry, the league's top scorer, volleyed over the bar from point-blank range and hit a post early in the second half.

Sol Campbell, Sylvain Wiltord and Dennis Bergkamp also went close but, just when Derby were thinking they might be on for another big point, they were cut open.

Bergkamp, who is enjoying a purple patch, slipped a clever pass into the path of Pires who poked the ball in from 10 metres.

Derby manager John Gregory was smiling despite the defeat. "We can take a lot of heart from this," he said.

"We showed a lot of spirit and we need to keep that going for our next two games against Bolton and Everton."

ALL THE RUNNING

Blackburn made all the running at home to Villa and were well-worth their 3-0 win.

They went ahead after seven minutes when new Turkish signing Hakan Unsal delivered a lovely cross-field pass to David Dunn, who cut in from the right and lashed a fierce shot past Peter Schmeichel.

Blackburn continued to dominate but were looking a little nervous until Damien Duff got the second five minutes from time with another scorching shot.

Andy Cole, who was sent off at the weekend, hit bar, post and grandstand roof before completing the win a minute from time after Schmeichel's attempt at a headed clearance outside his area went horribly wrong.

BIT NERVOUS

"We should have had more than one goal to show for our first-half efforts and we got a bit nervous in the second," said Blackburn boss Graeme Souness.

"The reason we are down there is because we've made some elementary mistakes at the back and up front we are not very good at killing teams off when they are on the rack.

"But I've never believed we would go down. Our destiny is in our hands and I believe we've got players here who will show their character and keep us in the premier league."

Villa boss Graham Taylor had no complaints about the result -- which seriously dents his hopes of earning a UEFA Cup place.

"We were beaten by the better team tonight - they were first to everything," he said.

"I can't explain it after a good performance against West Ham on Saturday."

Blackburn are now only a point behind fellow-promoted side Bolton after their Lancashire neighbours failed to trouble Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

Irish international midfielder Jason McAteer got the only goal three minutes before the break to earn Sunderland a welcome three points and move them away from the relegation zone.