Liverpool thump Arsenal, Chelsea go top

Liverpool made a mockery of Arsenal's status as Premier League leaders by handing out an emphatic beating at Anfield.

The Gunners arrived on Merseyside high on confidence at the top of the table, but were demolished as Liverpool scored four in a devastating opening 20-minute burst that could have brought them even more goals.

Martin Skrtel turned in two set-pieces and when Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge also hit the target for rampant Liverpool, a shell-shocked Arsenal's confidence was reduced to tatters.

Liverpool, unsurprisingly, were unable to maintain that level of dominance in the second half, but Sterling added his second before Mikel Arteta pulled a goal back for Arsenal from the penalty spot.

Eden Hazard scored a hat-trick to send Chelsea to the top of the Premier League with victory against Newcastle.

Hazard, magnificent in Monday's 1-0 win at Manchester City, was in inspired form throughout and drove in the opener from Branislav Ivanovic's pass.

Newcastle's Moussa Sissoko was denied one-on-one by Petr Cech, before Hazard finished off a fine sweeping move.

Hazard got his third in the second half, scoring from the penalty spot after Samuel Eto'o was fouled.

With league leaders Arsenal losing 5-1 to Liverpool and Manchester City drawing at Norwich, Chelsea's win moved them one point clear at the top of the standings.

Manchester City missed a chance to return to the top of the Premier League after being held at Norwich.

The visitors appeared hungover from their defeat by Chelsea on Monday and their only genuine chance came when Alvaro Negredo headed against the bar.

Norwich's Nathan Redmond fired high and wide before Jesus Navas was off target.

The visitors had to hang on near the end as Norwich were inches from scoring and after Chelsea's win over Newcastle, they slipped to third in the table.

- BBC.co.uk