LONDON, Nov 6: Manchester United beat Chelsea 1-0 on Sunday to end the champions’ 40-match unbeaten run in the Premier League and cut their lead at the top of the standings to six points.

Midfielder Darren Fletcher scored the only goal of a good match at Old Trafford, across the city from the ground where Chelsea were last beaten in the league last season by Manchester City on Oct 16, 2004.

Just past the half hour, Cristiano Ronaldo crossed to the far post from outside the box on the left and Fletcher ghosted in behind the defence and to plant a looping header over keeper Petr Cech and John Terry and just inside the other post.

In an earlier match, James Beattie’s 16th-minute goal gave Everton a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough, their first home league victory of the season. Everton climbed two places to 16th, five points and three spots behind Middlesbrough.

Thierry Henry scored twice near the end of each half to help Arsenal to a 3-1 home victory over Sunderland on.

Robin van Persie put Arsenal in front in the 12th minute when he volleyed home after Sol Campbell’s long ball out of defence and Alan Stubbs pulled one back for the bottom team.

Manchester City, also on 20 points, missed the chance to go up to second when they lost 2-1 at lowly Fulham. Steed Malbranque scored the Fulham goals, both laid on by Luis Boa Morte.

Bolton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur, who meet at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium on Monday, are also on 20 points.

Charlton Athletic remained a point further back in seventh place after being crushed 4-1 at Blackburn Rovers.

Australian Brett Emerton gave Rovers a second-minute lead and they were two up inside 18 minutes with Paul Dickov’s header.

Bryan Hughes’s 36th-minute goal for Charlton gave the visitors some hope but Morten Gamst Pedersen and Craig Bellamy added two more for Blackburn after the interval.

Veteran striker Teddy Sheringham scored early in the second half to give West Ham United a 1-0 home win over West Bromwich Albion. Hammers are eighth on 18 points with Manchester United.

Newcastle United, 10th also on 18 points, grafted to a 1-0 home victory over Birmingham City, settling a tight match in the 78th minute with a 25-metre piledriver from Emre.

Liverpool notched their first away league win of the season, 2-0 at Aston Villa.

Villa keeper Thomas Sorensen looked to have earned his side a point with two outstanding saves before Liam Ridgewell was adjudged to have fouled substitute Peter Crouch and Gerrard calmly stroked the spot-kick into the net.

Premier league results:

Played on Sunday:

Everton 1 Middlesbrough 0

Manchester United 1 Chelsea 0

Played on Saturday:

Arsenal 3 Sunderland 1

Aston Villa 0 Liverpool 2

Blackburn Rovers 4 Charlton Athletic 1

Fulham 2 Manchester City 1

Newcastle United 1 Birmingham City 0

Portsmouth 0 Wigan Athletic 2

West Ham United 1 West Bromwich Albion 0

Playing on Monday: Bolton Wanderers v Tottenham Hotspur (2000GMT). —Reuters