LONDON, March 6: Robert Pires sent Arsenal top of the Premier League Tuesday as his 69th minute goal gave the London club a precious 1-0 home win over battling Derby County.

The single goal was enough to take Arsenal to 60 points, two clear of United, who host Tottenham Hotspur Wednesday when third-placed Liverpool (56 points) are also in action against fourth in the table Newcastle United (55) at Anfield.

Tuesday’s two other games were important in the battle against relegation as third-last Blackburn Rovers outclassed Aston Villa 3-0 to move within a point of Bolton Wanderers, who lost 1-0 at Sunderland.

Second-bottom Derby have 26 points, Blackburn 29 and Bolton 30 — along with Ipswich Town and Everton.

But they went to Highbury to defend Tuesday and the different approach nearly paid off.

Arsenal dominated in terms of possession but were unable to create much in the way of chances in the first half.

Thierry Henry, the league’s top scorer, volleyed over the bar from point-blank range and hit a post early in the second half.

Sol Campbell, Sylvain Wiltord and Dennis Bergkamp also went close but, just when Derby were thinking they might be on for another big point, they were cut open.

Bergkamp, who is enjoying a purple patch, slipped a clever pass into the path of Pires who poked the ball in from 10 metres.

Blackburn, with the influential Tugay Kerimoglu back from suspension, made all the running at home to Villa and were well-worth their 3-0 win.

They went ahead after seven minutes when new Turkish signing Hakan Unsul delivered a lovely cross-field pass to David Dunn, who cut in from the right and lashed a fierce shot past Peter Schmeichel.

Blackburn continued to dominate but were looking a little nervous until Damien Duff got the second five minutes from time with another scorching shot.

Andy Cole, who was sent off at the weekend, hit bar, post and grandstand roof before completing the win a minute from time after Schmeichel’s attempt at a headed clearance outside his area went horribly wrong.

Blackburn are now only a point behind fellow-promoted side Bolton after their Lancashire neighbours failed to trouble Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

Irish international midfielder Jason McAteer got the only goal three minutes before the break to earn Sunderland a welcome three points and move them away from the relegation zone.

Results of English Premier League matches played on Tuesday:

Arsenal 1 Derby County 0

Blackburn Rovers 3 Aston Villa 0

Sunderland 1 Bolton Wanderers 0

—Reuters