Arsenal's William Gallas (left) heads to score against Chelsea during their English Premier League soccer match at the Emirates Stadium in London yesterday. Arsenal won 1-0. - REUTERS

LONDON (Reuters):

Captain William Gallas scored the winner against his old club as Arsenal beat Chelsea 1-0 yesterday to return to the top of the Premier League.

Gallas scored in first-half injury time at the Emirates Stadium when he powered in unmarked to head home a Cesc Fabregas corner after Chelsea keeper Petr Cech failed to clear.

The result took Arsenal on to 40 points from 17 games, one ahead of Manchester United who briefly went to the top earlier in the afternoon after winning 1-0 at Liverpool.

Chelsea remain third on 34 points from 17 matches, followed by Manchester City (33 from 17) and Liverpool, who stay fifth with 30 points from 16 games.

Arsenal, who played the more composed football throughout a fiercely competitive derby, were denied two late goals.

A Robin van Persie strike was disallowed for offside four minutes from time and an Emmanuel Adebayor effort was chalked off after he fouled Tal Ben Haim while he powered towards goal two minutes later.

Ben Haim had come on as a first-half substitute for Chelsea and England captain John Terry who hobbled off after being caught on the shin in a challenge by Emmanuel Eboue.

Eboue also failed to last the match and was carried off on a stretcher after a challenge by Joe Cole in the second half.

The match improved as a spectacle after half-time with Arsenal always having the upper hand. Fabregas, back in the side after missing the last four games, controlled much of Arsenal's play and Eboue was a constant menace until he departed.

UNITED BREAKTHROUGH

While Gallas had an afternoon to remember against his former club, Ashley Cole had one to forget against his. The ex-Arsenal defender was booed every time he touched the ball and was under almost continual pressure from Arsenal's fast-raiding forwards.

His match ended in an unseemly tangle with Fabregas in which he appeared lucky not to be dismissed.

United, who have now beaten Liverpool six times in their last seven league meetings, also made the breakthrough in their match against Liverpool just before half-time.

Tevez pounced after 43 minutes to divert a Wayne Rooney shot into the net from close range following a Ryan Giggs corner.

Liverpool's best chance fell to Harry Kewell in the 28th minute. His shot was cleared off the line by Anderson with Fernando Torres heading the rebound over the bar.

Substitute Ryan Babel then went close to equalising with a fierce shot that flew narrowly wide, while Steven Gerrard landed a last-minute free kick on the top of the net.