LONDON, Sept 16: Portsmouth went top of the English Premier League after winning 1-0 at Charlton Athletic on Saturday with substitute Lomana Lua Lua scoring the only goal after 74 minutes.

Portsmouth, whose match kicked off at lunchtime, retained top spot after Everton were held to a 2-2 draw by Wigan Athletic at Goodison Park in an afternoon kickoff.

Pompey's victory moved them ahead of Manchester United, who will go clear at the top if they maintain their perfect start to the season with a fifth successive league win against Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Portsmouth have 13 points from their opening five matches, Manchester United have a maximum tally of 12 from four while Everton have 11 from five.

The other afternoon games ended with Reading winning 2-1 at Sheffield United and Bolton Wanderers drawing 0-0 with Middlesbrough. Watford were playing Aston Villa in a late match.

Portsmouth have won four of their opening five games and drawn the other and have yet to concede a goal this season.

Lua Lua, who came on as a 64th minute substitute for Benjani Mwaruwari, smacked home a right-footed shot from 25 metres after being set up by Sean Davis.

Five matches take place on Sunday including Manchester United v Arsenal and champions Chelsea v Liverpool.

Results:

Bolton Wanderers 0 Middlesbrough 0

Charlton Athletic 0 Portsmouth 1

Everton 2 Wigan Athletic 2

Sheffield United 1 Reading 2

Playing on Sunday:

Chelsea v Liverpool (1230 GMT)

Blackburn Rovers v Manchester City (1400)

Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham (1400)

West Ham United v Newcastle United (1400)

Manchester United v Arsenal (1500).

—Reuters