Liverpool crushed Charlton 3-0 on Saturday to leapfrog Arsenal to third place in the league following the Gunners' 2-2 draw with guests Portsmouth. Liverpool now have 31 points, one point ahead of fourth-placed Arsenal, who were held to draw for the sixth time this season. Leaders Manchester United and title holders Chelsea will play West Ham and Everton respectively on Sunday. At the Valley, Liverpool took the lead as early as the second minute when Xavi Alonso converted home from the spot after Djimi Traore fouled Jermaine Pennant inside the area. Eight minutes from time, Craig Bellamy latched on to a deft through pass to drill into the back of the net.
Silva Captain Steven Gerrard completed the rout after six minutes with a superb finish after being set up by Peter Crouch. In London, Arsenal avoided their first defeat on their new ground as they stormed back from a two-goal deficit to tie Portsmouth. The four goals were registered in just a 15-minute period as Noe Pamarot put the visitors ahead in the 45th minute before Matthew Taylor doubled the lead two minutes after the break. Substitute Emmanuel Adebayor pulled one back in the 58th minute when he slotted a Theo Walcott cross home before Gilberto Silva arrowed a low equalizer into the net. Robin van Persie and Alexander Hleb missed two golden opportunities to secure the three points when they failed to score from close range.
