LONDON, Nov 9: Chelsea returned to the top of the Premier League on Sunday with a 2-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers at a rain-drenched Ewood Park.

A torrential downpour made conditions almost unplayable in the first half but Chelsea adapted far better and took the points with a double from Nicolas Anelka to continue their 100 percent away record in the league.

The French striker, enjoying a hot scoring streak, put Chelsea ahead five minutes before the break when he deflected Jose Bosingwa’s speculative shot past keeper Paul Robinson.

His second, after 68 minutes, was a deft chip over Robinson after Frank Lampard had won the ball on the edge of the area and prodded a pass through.

Chelsea move above Liverpool, 3-0 winners at home to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, on goal difference. Both clubs have 29 points from 12 games. Arsenal are third with 23 points after their 2-1 defeat of champions Manchester United on Saturday.

Aston Villa can move above United into fourth later on Sunday when they host Middlesbrough.

Frenchman Samir Nasri stung champions Manchester United with two goals as Arsenal secured a deserved 2-1 victory to reignite their Premier League title challenge.

United remain on 21 points and Arsenal have 23 from 12 games, six behind leaders Liverpool who enjoyed a routine 3-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion courtesy of Robbie Keane’s first league goals for the club and a late Alvaro Arbeloa strike.Liverpool made light work of beating West Brom, Keane latching onto a Steven Gerrard pass to chip past Scott Carson on 34 minutes and then doubling their lead before the interval as Keane rounded Carson to slot home.

With Liverpool cruising, Arbeloa added a third in stoppage time.

“I knew it would only be a matter of time [before scoring the first league goals], hopefully you will see Robbie Keane back to his best,” Keane told Sky Sports.

“But it’s not about Robbie Keane, it’s about the performance, getting the three points and keeping top of the table.”

Hull City’s remarkable start to the season hit the buffers at home to Bolton Wanderers as they went down 1-0. The win lifted Bolton out of the bottom three and up to ninth place.

New Portsmouth manager Tony Adams got his first victory since taking over from Harry Redknapp, with Jermain Defoe scoring a late penalty for a 2-1 win at Sunderland.

Stoke City drew 0-0 with Wigan Athletic while West Ham United’s poor form continued as they conceded three late goals in a 3-1 defeat by Everton at Upton Park.

Results:

Played on Sunday:

Blackburn Rovers 0 Chelsea 2

Played on Saturday:

Arsenal 2 Manchester United 1

Hull City 0 Bolton Wanderers 1

Liverpool 3 West Bromwich Albion 0

Sunderland 1 Portsmouth 2

West Ham United 1 Everton 3

Wigan Athletic 0 Stoke City 0

—Reuters