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United reclaim Premier League top spot

Paul Scholes celebrates his 100th goal in the English Premier League which gave Manchester United a 1-0 victory over Wolves.
Paul Scholes celebrates his 100th goal in the English Premier League which gave Manchester United a 1-0 victory over Wolves.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Manchester United reclaimed top spot in the English Premier League with a 1-0 victory over Wolves thanks to a goal from Paul Scholes.
  • Arsenal drew level on points with second-placed Chelsea as they claimed a 3-1 victory against relegation candidates Burnley.
  • Bolton eased their relegation worries with a surprise 2-1 away victory over West Ham as they moved above their opponents and up to 13th.
  • Portsmouth reached the semifinals of the FA Cup with a 2-0 win over Birmingham while Tottenham and Fulham must replay after 0-0 draw.
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(CNN) -- Manchester United reclaimed top spot in the English Premier League on Saturday with a 1-0 victory over Wolves at Molineux thanks to a second-half strike from Paul Scholes.

The veteran midfielder latched on to Nani's pass inside the penalty area in the 73rd minute and squeezed his way through the Wolves defense before he slotted the ball past goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann to net his 100th Premier League goal.

United, who were without the injured Wayne Rooney, under performed for the majority of the match as a determined Wolves side controlled large periods of possession but were unable to convert it into goals.

Sam Vokes had the best chance to equalize for the hosts in injury time when the ball fell to him inside the penalty area with only goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar to beat, but he could only direct his shot over the crossbar.

The result saw United move on to 63 points and climb above Chelsea into top spot, although Carlo Ancelotti's side have a game in hand as they take a break from Premier League action to take on Stoke in the FA Cup on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Arsenal drew level on points with Chelsea as they claimed a 3-1 victory against relegation candidates Burnley at the Emirates Stadium.

Cesc Fabregas opened the scoring in the 34th minute when he calmly stroked the ball home from close range but the Spanish international was forced off moments later with a hamstring problem.

Without their captain the Gunners lack their usual midfield zest and Burnley equalized six minutes after the half-time interval when David Nugent latched on to Leon Cort's header and directed the ball over goalkeeper Manuel Almunia.

Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner endured a torrid afternoon as he squandered several promising chances but Arsene Wenger's side made the points safe when Theo Walcott curled in a superb strike in the 60th minute before Andrey Arshavin grabbed the third in injury time.

Bolton eased their relegation worries with a surprise 2-1 away victory over West Ham as they moved above their opponents and up to 13th in the table.

Kevin Davies headed Bolton ahead in the 10th minute and the visitors doubled their advantage in the following six minutes when the on-loan Arsenal midfielder volleyed home.

Owen Coyle's side were reduced to 10 men in the 70th minute when Tamir Cohen was sent off and West Ham striker Alessandro Diamanti pulled a goal back with two minutes remaining but Bolton hung to take all three points.

Portsmouth supporters received a welcome tonic to the club's recent financial problems as they booked a place in the FA Cup semifinals at Wembley with a 2-0 victory Birmingham.

Frederic Piquionne put Pompey, who entered administration last week, ahead in the 67th minute when he bundled the ball home after a goalmouth scramble before he found the net again three minutes later when he raced on to clever through-ball from Jamie O'Hara and slotted past Joe Hart.

In the day's other FA Cup quarterfinal Tottenham Hotspur were held to a goalless draw by Fulham at Craven Cottage and the two sides will now face a replay at White Hart Lane.