Arsenal sweep aside struggling Reading

LONDON, England -- Arsenal dealt a severe blow to struggling Reading's hopes of avoiding the drop and revived their own hopes of claiming second place in the Premier League with a 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium in Saturday's early kick off.

Liverpool pushed Fulham closer to the Championship by beating them 2-0 at Craven Cottage while Gavin McCann's winning goal at Middlesbrough gave Bolton a tremendous boost, the victory lifting them above Reading and Birmingham.

Birmingham visit local rivals Aston Villa on Sunday needing at least to point to climb out of the bottom three.

With recalled Theo Walcott producing another impressive display, Arsenal dominated from the start and leading scorer Emmanuel Adebayor put the hosts ahead on the half hour with his 27th of the season.

Brazilian international Gilberto Silva doubled the lead before half time following a deflection off Reading's Cameroon defender Andre Bikey which left the excellent Marcus Hahnemann in the visiting goal helpless.

Arsenal should have added to their tally after the break as they twice hit the woodwork through a superb free-kick from Robin van Persie and a Walcott.

Midfield star Cesc Fabregas also had an effort cleared off the line by Michael Duberry.

Reading had only a Bobby Convey effort in the closing moments to show for another disappointing display and they remain hovering above the relegation zone with 32 points from 35 games with an inferior goal difference to all those below them bar relegated Derby.

Arsenal, who have slipped out of the title race, move to within four points of second-placed Chelsea, having both played 35 games.

A year ago Liverpool fielded a weakened team at Fulham prior to Champions League fixtures and the Londoners snatched a 1-0 win which helped them to beat the drop.

Once again Rafa Benitez rested key men, making eight changes, but this time Fulham were unable to take advantage.

Jermaine Pennant put Liverpool in front in the 17th minute from a Leiva Lucas pass and then put over the cross from which Peter Crouch headed the second goal in the 70th minute.

Bolton's victory at Middlesbrough could be priceless. McCann, once capped by England, earned them three points by tapping in in the 61st minute.

Wigan climbed above Middlesbrough on goal difference, to be five places above the relegation zone, with a 1-1 draw at home to Tottenham.

Dimitar Berbatov, the subject of much transfer speculation, gave Spurs a sixth minute lead but Emile Heskey equalized six minutes later.

West Ham's Bobby Zamora scored his first goal in almost a year in the 2-1 defeat of hapless Derby. Tyrone Mears put Derby level but they tasted defeat for the 26th time this season when Carlton Cole hit the winner. E-mail to a friend