The win at Bolton ensured Liverpool maintained the pressure on their rivals as they seek their first title since 1990.

Dirk Kuyt brilliantly headed the visitors in front from Fabio Aurelio's cross after 28 minutes.

Bolton, who were outplayed for long stretches, mounted a spirited effort after the break only for any hope of a comeback tobe snuffed out by Gerrard's close range header with 18 minutes left.

"We were under pressure so that goal was very crucial for us," Betinez said of the Gerrard goal, "after that, the game was over."

"We had two or three clear chances in the first half and at the end we could have had a couple more, but the second goal was the key."

Anelka was again in the spotlight as Didier Drogba, who is facing Football Association charges after throwing a coin into the crowd in their midweek Carling Cup defeat against Burnley, was put onto the bench by Scolari.

Jose Bosingwa opened the scoring on 34 minutes, smashing his shot into the top corner. Anelka ran clear to dink home a second four minutes later and then made it 3-0 before the break after latching on to Salomon Kalou's pass.

At the Emirates, Clichy headed Ashley Young's cross into his own net after 70 minutes and Gabriel Agbonlahor raced clear to add a second 10 minutes later to give Villa a deserved win.

The result undid all Gunners' good work of upsetting Manchester United last Saturday and is massively frustrating for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.

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