LONDON, Oct 6: Champions Arsenal maintained their two-point lead at the top of the English premier league and their record-breaking unbeaten run with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Sunderland Sunday.

Liverpool kept up the chase but left it late, as England striker Michael Owen scored in the last minute to snatch a 1-0 win over Chelsea at Anfield.

Arsenal, the defending champions, have 23 points to the 21 of Liverpool.

Middlesbrough, 2-0 winners over Bolton Wanderers Saturday, are third on 17 while Tottenham Hotspur moved up to fourth on 16 when an 89th minute Jamie Redknapp goal earned them a 2-1 win at Blackburn Rovers.

Fulham are fifth on 14 after beating Charlton Athletic 1-0 while Manchester United, sixth on 14, host Everton Monday.

Sunday’s other game was a disappointing goalless draw between Aston Villa and Leeds United at Villa Park.

Two goals from Nwankwo Kanu in the first 10 minutes and one from Patrick Vieira in first-half injury time secured Arsenal’s victory, which set a new record of 30 premier league games undefeated, beating Manchester United’s previous record.

Chelsea looked set to restore some pride after an impressive defensive display at Anfield.

Carlo Cudicini kept them in it in the 52nd minute when he brilliantly tipped a venomous Steven Gerrard shot on to the bar.

But they were undone when Heskey broke through in the last minute.

Cudicini touched his shot on to a post but Owen was in quickly to ram home the rebound to end Chelsea’s unbeaten away run.