LONDON, April 8: Portsmouth blasted the Premier League title race wide open on Saturday with a 2-1 victory over leaders Manchester United at Fratton Park.

Matthew Taylor's first half strike and a late own goal by Rio Ferdinand ended a run of seven successive league victories for United who managed a late consolation through John O'Shea.

Champions Chelsea, who edged a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge earlier, are now just three points behind with six games to go.

Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho scored Chelsea's winner in the second half against Tottenham, leaving Jose Mourinho's side in hot pursuit with 75 points to United's 78.

It is the first time since December that United's lead has slipped below six points and a potential title showdown is beckoning when the sides clash at Stamford Bridge on May 9.

Elsewhere, Liverpool strengthened their hold on third place with a 2-1 victory at Reading, while Arsenal fell to their first ever defeat at the Emirates Stadium, going down 1-0 to relegation fighters West Ham United.

The relegation dogfight took another twist with West Ham's Bobby Zamora stunning Arsenal on the stroke of halftime to earn his side an unlikely 1-0 victory.

Results:

Played on Saturday:

Arsenal 0 West Ham United 1

Blackburn Rovers 1 Aston Villa 2

Chelsea 1 Tottenham Hotspur 0

Middlesbrough 4 Watford 1

Portsmouth 2 Manchester United 1

Reading 1 Liverpool 2

Sheffield United 1 Newcastle United 2

Wigan Athletic 1 Bolton Wanderers 3

Played on Friday:

Everton 4 Fulham 1

Manchester City 0 Charlton Athletic 0

—Reuters