Craig Bellamy
© AFP Paul Ellis

LONDON (AFP) - A 3-0 lunchtime win at the Valley ensured Liverpool were able to leapfrog both Arsenal and Portsmouth, who held the Gunners to a 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium.

Pompey had looked set to mark Sol Campbell's return to north London with a famous victory when Matt Taylor produced yet another stunning goal two minutes after the restart to add to a first-half strike from former Tottenham defender Noe Paramot.

But the game was turned on its head in the space of two minutes around the hour following the introduction of Emmanuel Adebayor.

The Togolese striker scored Arsenal's first goal and it was his break down the right that led to Gilberto Silva's equaliser.

Alexander Helb(L) fights for the ball with Noe Pamarot
© AFP Odd Andersen

Liverpool had earlier claimed a third straight league win for the first time this season with an impressive performance at struggling Charlton.

The visitors, who have now put together a run of six consecutive clean sheets, were always in command and generated a string of chances in the wake of Xabi Alonso's early penalty.

But it was not until the final eight minutes of the match that Charlton were killed off.

Craig Bellamy claimed the 50th Premiership goal of his career with a well-taken volleyed goal before Steven Gerrard wrapped up a win that delighted Benitez.

"We made a lot of chances and we could have scored maybe two or three more goals," the Liverpool manager said. "In some games now we have the balance between defending properly and creating chances."

Rob Hulse(C) celebrates with Danny Webber(on his back) and Leigh Bromby
© AFP/File Andrew Yates

Obafemi Martins claimed a double for the second successive weekend to fire Newcastle to a 2-1 win over bottom side Watford.

The Nigerian striker gave the Magpies a 49th-minute lead and then hammered in Damien Duff's cutback to claim the winner with five minutes left after Hameur Bouazza had equalised for Watford.

Wins for Blackburn and Sheffield United piled the pressure on to West Ham, who will remain in the relegation zone even if they can beat Premiership leaders Manchester United at Upton Park on Sunday.

Sheffield United are now seven points clear of the drop zone after Rob Hulse claimed his 5th goal of the season to fire them to a 1-0 win at Wigan.

Neil Warnock's side have taken ten points from their last four matches.

Obafemi Martins
© AFP/File Brian Heppell

Blackburn are six points clear of West Ham thanks to a 2-1 win at high-flying Premiership newcomers Reading, former Arsenal winger David Bentley firing the winner six minutes from the end.

James Harper had given Reading a first-half lead but Blackburn got back on level terms midway through the second period when South African striker Benni McCarthy, who had had three earlier efforts ruled off for offside, finally produced a goal that was allowed to stand.

Second-placed Chelsea are also in action on Sunday with Jose Mourinho's side travelling to Everton.

©AFP