Manchester back on track as Arsenal stumble

Liverpool got the show on the road with a stunning volley from Steven Gerrard. Further goals from Michael Owen, Nicky Barmby and Robbie Fowler sealed the rout.

Leicester moved up to third spot after their decisive home win over West Ham.

Elsewhere, Chelsea got back on track with a 3-0 win over basement side Bradford, and Charlton gave Everton manager Walter Smith food for thought over the festive period with a 1-0 home. Derby scored a goal in either half to hold Newcastle to a 2-0 win, while Sunderland grabbed a 1-0 home win over Manchester City. Tottenham, who held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw on Monday, could only watch in despair as second-from-bottom Middlesbrough walked out of White Hart Lane with a valuable point.

Milan beat Atalanta

MILAN:As Roma take a six-point Italian first division lead into the New Year after ailing aristocrats Inter Milan defeated high-flying Atalanta 1-0 at Bergamo.

Inter’s long-awaited first away win of the season, courtesy of a goal from Dutch substitute Clarence Seedorf, ensured Roma’s 0-0 draw on Friday at home to Juventus preserves their six-point margin over the Turin giants. Parma again disappointed, having to settle for a 2-2 draw at struggling Napoli.

French midfielder Johan Micoud headed them in front four minutes before interval but Fabio Pecchia squared the match. Yugoslav striker Savo Milosevic headed Parma 2-1 ahead but Nicola Amoruso equalised again for Napoli.

Napoli coach Emiliano Mondonico said: "If we want to stay in Serie A we are on the right path. Today everybody gave their all."

Udinese rekindled their impressive early season form after a recent slump with a 3-1 defeat of Bologna, two goals from Dane Martin Jorgensen giving them a 2-0 interval lead.

Giuseppe Signori pulled one back for Bologna just seconds after having a penalty saved by Luigi Turci but Stefano Fiore calmed home nerves with another spot kick, ensuring Udinese prevailed.

"I am very pleased," said their coach Luigi de Canio. "Today we saw the real Udinese again — it makes up for the last few weeks."

Bottom side Reggina secured only their second win of the season with an Ezio Brevi goal sufficient to eclipse Vicenza 1-0. But Roma remain in control of the division after their draw at the Olympic Stadium with Juventus on Friday.

Juventus, whose Dutch midfielder Edgar Davids was sent off in injury time, dominated in terms of possession. But Roma came close to snatching victory twice in the closing minutes with Batistuta having a goal disallowed and then Francesco Totti denied by Juve ‘keeper Edwin Van der Sar.