Wenger gets his perfect present

Campbell and Pires take Arsenal into their first Christmas on top of table but Roeder finds life is cruel at the bottom

Arsenal might dress like Santa Claus but they had never been top of the Premiership on Christmas Day, even in 1997 and last year, two seasons when they went on to do the Double. That changed yesterday when goals in the last minute of each half by Sol Campbell and Robert Pires gave them a 2-0 home win over 10-man Middlesbrough, ensuring that, whatever Manchester United do today against Blackburn Rovers, Arsène Wenger's side will be top on Wednesday.

It was never an easy win as Middlesbrough attempted to stymie Arsenal's ambitions by combating class with hard work, as others have tried recently. But Campbell's diving header undermined a plan that was finally wrecked by Luke Wilkshire's dismissal in the 73rd minute.

For Wenger, no praise was high enough for Campbell and his goal, Arsenal's first from open play in four games. "He was winning every fight, winning decisive balls and I loved his goal as it just showed such great determination," he said. "When a guy of his size and power is on the move, he's unstoppable. I enjoyed it as I don't see many goals from my team!" Or punishable offences...

Chelsea, who left out Gianfranco Zola, tried to spoil Arsenal's day by beating Aston Villa 2-0 but had to make do with second place, at least overnight. Frank Lampard scored their second with a 40-yard cross that curled into the net.

Yet another London club will be hoping to achieve a first that is rather different from Arsenal's. Statistics may rate even worse than lies and damned lies; history may be bunk; teams may be "too good to go down"; but everyone connected with West Ham United will be aware that no team that has been bottom at Christmas has stayed in the Premiership the following May. "That is a great motivation for my players to prove everyone wrong," said the Hammers manager, Glenn Roeder, after his side stayed bottom by drawing 1-1 at home to their fellow strugglers Bolton Wanderers. Ian Pearce, the Hammers defender turned striker, put them ahead after only 17 minutes but, with goals going into the West Ham net at the rate of almost two a game, that was not going to be enough. Michael Ricketts proved the point in the second half.

In the day's other relegation rumble, the underperforming Kevin Phillips scored both Sunderland's goals as they came back from 2-0 down to draw at West Bromwich. Leeds, fifth from bottom and boosted by winning at Bolton last time out, also drew, 1-1 at home to Southampton, Fabrice Fernandes finding a late riposte to Harry Kewell's opener.