League: Pool pay penalty

The race for the Barclays Premier League title is looking even more like a three-horse race following the midweek results.

Chelsea joined United in recording a home win, 24 hours after Arsenal did the same against Newcastle. Michael Ballack's goal was enough to beat Reading at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool, however, slipped up when they lost 1-0 at West Ham. Mark Noble converted a last-minute spot-kick following Jamie Carragher's foul on ex-Arsenal star Fredrik Ljungberg.

"For them to score from a penalty so late on was terrible," moaned Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez. "We now need to think about the next game."

United's next league