LONDON, Jan 19: France striker Thierry Henry struck a hat trick as English champions Arsenal restored their five-point lead at the top of the table with a 3-1 victory over 10-man West Ham United on Sunday.

The imperious Henry took his premier league goals tally to 17 this season with an early penalty, a header after 71 minutes and a calm finish four minutes from time at Highbury.

West Ham were in trouble from the moment Steve Lomas was sent off in conceding the penalty after 14 minutes, although they did equalise through Jermain Defoe’s 40th-minute goal. The defeat meant they slipped back to the bottom of the table.

Arsenal now have 52 points from 24 games, with Manchester United second on 47. Newcastle, who have played a game less, are third on 42 points.

Later on Sunday fifth-from-bottom Fulham were due to host Middlesbrough at Loftus Road.

Results:

On Sunday:

Arsenal 3 West Ham United 1

Fulham 1 Middlesbrough 0

On Saturday:

Aston Villa 0 Tottenham Hotspur 1

Blackburn Rovers 1 Birmingham City 1

Charlton Athletic 1 Bolton Wanderers 1

Everton 2 Sunderland 1

Leeds United 0 West Bromwich Albion 0

Manchester United 2 Chelsea 1

Newcastle United 2 Manchester City 0

Southampton 0 Liverpool 1

—Reuters