London, Mar 24: Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira restored his side's two-point lead in the premier league by scoring the winner in a 2-1 victory over Everton at Highbury. Arsenal's French defender Pascal Cygan opened the scoring on Sunday (March 23) with a great header from compatriot Thierry Henry's corner. The score delighted manager Arsene Wenger. England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson was at the match, possibly watching 17-year-old English international Wayne Rooney, eager to end a goal drought since mid-December. Rooney made some nice moves in the first half, but none ended in a goal.


In the second half he found his form, however, running down the right and hitting a shot low and left through a defender's legs to make it 1-1. Wenger wasn't so happy about that. French midfielder Vieira then smashed the ball home in the 64th minute.


The win gave the champions 66 points, two more than Manchester United who had gone top on Saturday with their 3-0 demolition of Fulham at Old Trafford.


There are seven games remaining. Third-placed Newcastle United (61) are also in the title race, while Liverpool moved up to fifth on 52, just two points behind Chelsea, after a 3-1 victory earlier on Sunday over struggling Leeds United.


Arsenal's victory will be a much-needed morale boost for Arsene Wenger's side -- four days after their exit from the Champions League in Valencia and two days before a crunch FA Cup quarter-final replay against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.


Bureau Report