Wayne Rooney(L) controls the ball
© AFP Paul Ellis

LONDON (AFP) - The England striker scored twice as United came back to beat the Blades 2-1 while Chelsea beat West Ham 1-0 at Stamford Bridge to keep themselves in hot pursuit of the leaders.

Meanwhile Arsenal's patchy home form continued in a 1-1 draw against Newcastle United and there was no fairytale start for rock-bottom Charlton's new boss Les Reed as they were sunk 2-0 at Reading.

Sheffield United took a shock lead at Bramall Lane through Keith Gillespie, the Northern Ireland winger heading his first goal for the Blades against the club where he learnt his trade.

Thierry Henry(R) celebrates with Kolo Toure
© AFP Carl de Souza

Rooney, who scored in England's 1-1 draw Wednesday with the Netherlands, equalised in the 30th minute taking a Gary Neville cross on his left foot and scoring with his right past Paddy Kenny.

The Republic of Ireland goalkeeper, who had his left eyebrow bitten off by a friend midweek in a late-night brawl outside a restaurant, had his miserable week compounded by Rooney's 75th-minute winner from close range in the first league meeting between the two sides for 13 years.

Chelsea kept up the pressure on both the Red Devils and West Ham boss Alan Pardew as they beat the visiting Hammers by a single goal.

Cameroon midfielder Geremi curled in a 22nd-minute free kick that flew past goalkeeper Robert Green.

Geremi shoots a free kick
© AFP Odd Andersen

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien hit the post from distance and team-mate Didier Drogba had a late effort ruled out for offside as the Blues chalked up their sixth Premiership home win out of seven.

Struggling Newcastle United stunned hosts Arsenal when they took a 30th-minute lead through Keiron Dyer.

Arsene Wenger sent on Thierry Henry from the bench at half-time and the club captain duly rescued a point, firing in a 70th-minute free kick which clipped the underside of the crossbar on the way in.

Charlton sacked boss Iain Dowie just 15 games into his reign and installed assistant coach Reed in his place in an attempt to stop the rot.

But the trick did not work as top-flight first-timers Reading won 2-0 at the Madejski Stadium.

Seol Ki-Hyeon
© AFP/File Adrian Dennis

South Korea forward Seol Ki-Hyeon scored an 18th-minute header and Ireland striker Kevin Doyle sealed the win in the 72nd minute to keep the Addicks propping up the Premiership table.

Everton had lost their previous three matches but returned to form at home to Bolton with a 1-0 win at Goodison Park.

The Trotters had been the better side until Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta smashed in a shot from more than 20 yards out on the hour mark.

Unfancied Watford thought they were on course for a first away win of the season at Fratton Park but Portsmouth came from behind to steal a 2-1 win in the final minutes.

American defender Jay DeMerit put the Hornets ahead in the 32nd minute but in-form Portsmouth striker Nwankwo Kanu scored his eighth of the season just before the interval.

Bernardo Corradi
© AFP/File Andrew Yates

Lomano LuaLua scored an 89th-minute penalty to keep up the hosts' impressive start to the season.

Manchester City beat visitors Fulham 3-1 at Eastlands as Bernardo Corradi finally got on the scoresheet for the home side.

The Italian striker found the net twice in the first half, and man-of-the-match midfielder Joey Barton added a third before Collins John scored a consolation goal for the Cottagers.

"This season people have been saying we've not done so well and the pressure was on," City boss Stuart Pearce said.

"But the league is so tight if you lose a couple you are on the verge of relegation and if you win two you are challenging for Europe."

Middlesbrough host Liverpool in Saturday's late match while Blackburn host Tottenham and Aston Villa travel to Wigan in Sunday's games.

©AFP