Defeats place more pressure on Ancelotti and Hodgson as City battle to blunt Gunners' attack

Jose Bosingwa's own goal after only five minutes decided the contest as Carlo Ancelotti's men saw their faint title hopes all but disappear completely, adding fuel to speculation about the Italian's future at the club.

Another manager coming under increasing pressure is Roy Hodgson who has suffered many low points in his short spell as Liverpool manager but the 3-1 defeat at Blackburn last night could prove one calamity too far and is likely to hasten his exit from Anfield.

Even before Saturday's stoppage-time victory over Bolton the suggestion was club owners New England Sports Ventures were actively looking for a replacement.

On last night's performance they will probably speed up that search as two goals from Benjani Mwaruwari, who had not started since November 6, and one from Martin Olsson condemned the Reds to a ninth Premier League defeat of the season despite Steven Gerrard's late consolation.

Chelsea's defeat means they have had just two wins from their last 11 league games, and they stand nine points behind leaders Manchester United having played a game more.

Arsenal twice hit the woodwork as title rivals Manchester City somehow left Emirates Stadium with a point from a 0-0 draw.

Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas both saw first-half shots come back off the base of the same post. City then had goalkeeper Joe Hart to thank after he produced a wonderful fingertip save to deny van Persie on the hour as

Arsenal had to be content with only a point.

The teams each finished with 10 men after full-backs Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna were shown straight red cards for a needless clash of heads by the touchline.

Everton put Tottenham's title aspirations and ambitious plans to sign David Beckham in the shade with victory in a compelling encounter at Goodison Park.

Seamus Coleman grabbed a 75th-minute winner at Goodison Park after the outstanding Rafael van der Vaart had cancelled out Louis Saha's superb early opener.

Both sides had numerous opportunities to win an absorbing contest but it was Everton, rediscovering the spark that has been missing for much of the season, who held on for a victory greeted with jubilation by their fans.

Leon Best reminded Andy Carroll that there is more than one striker on Tyneside as Newcastle dumped woeful West Ham deep into relegation trouble.

Best, making his first League start for the club in the absence of the injured Carroll and Shola Ameobi, finally opened his account on his 15th appearance with a fine hat-trick to repay a large slice of his 1.2m transfer fee.

They were the 24-year-old's first goals in a week short of a year and came on the day it was revealed Newcastle had rejected an approach from Tottenham for Carroll.

Aston Villa dropped into the bottom three for the first time in seven years as their former loan signing Phil Bardsley earned Sunderland victory at Villa Park.

Gerard Houllier's side slipped into the relegation zone on goal difference as a result of Wolves' shock victory over champions Chelsea at Molineux.

Villa had striker Emile Heskey sent off for violent conduct before Bardsley's decider and then Black Cats substitute Boudewijn Zenden was given his marching orders for two bookable offences.

Ronnie Stam conjured a late equaliser to salvage a precious point for Wigan and leave high-flying neighbours and hosts Bolton bitterly frustrated.

On-loan Benfica forward Rodrigo Moreno produced a delightful finish to put Owen Coyle's men ahead in the 54th minute.

Wigan lost Tom Cleverley to an early injury and goalkeeper Chris Kirkland was stretchered off shortly after the hour mark.

But Stam stabbed home at the far post in the 80th minute to draw Wigan level and earn a booking for his celebrations in front of the visiting supporters.