Premier League round-up: a good day for Man U, Arsenal and West Ham

Premier League leaders Manchester United were lucky as they travelled to face West Brom, Arsenal took no prisoners at Birmingham City, and at the other end of the table, West Ham snatched crucial points over Wolves.

It was a good result for Manchester United as well as for local rivals City who both started 2011 with victories. Arsenal continue to breathe down the necks of the Manchester twosome, two points behind second place Man City with a game in hand.

Like City, Man U are on 41 points, but have two games in hand.

Javier Hernandez's header proved vital towards the end of a dramatic early game at the Hawthorns which could have easily gone the other way. Wayne Rooney started things off in the right direction for the visitors within three minutes by scoring his first goal from open play since last March.

But after that it was West Brom who had the better game, drawing level after 14 minutes thanks to a superb strike by James Morrison. The Baggies should have got a penalty and Gary Neville should have been sent off after a bad tackle on Graeme Dorrans, but the veteran Red got away with his ill-judged move.

There was a missed opportunity when the pressure got to West Brom's Peter Odemwingie who wasted a second half penalty that had been awarded after Rio Ferdinand tripped Jerome Thomas.

United were then the ones to be denied a penalty when Fabio's cross struck Thomas's arm, before snatching the points 15 minutes from time when the unmarked sub Hernandez nodded home Rooney's corner.

Back in Manchester, City could have scored more, but will be happy to end the day with a 1-0 victory over Blackpool, thanks to Adam Johnson's deflected strike after 34 minutes.

At the lower end of the table, West Ham climbed out of the dreaded relegation zone with a 2-0 victory over fellow strugglers Wolves at Upton Park. Carlton Cole was lucky to see his miss-kick go into the net and Freddie Sears scored only the second goal of his career.

Liverpool beat Bolton Wanderers, thanks to a last minute goal from Joe Cole - his first for his team in the Premier League. It'll take some pressure off Roy Hodgson... until the next game. Bolton had been ahead at half time as Kevin Davies got past a snoozing Liverpool defence.

But that lead didn't last long, as four minutes into the second half Fernando Torres reminded us that he's very good indeed. It stayed level until Cole nudged in a deep cross from Steven Gerrard right at the last minute.

Liverpool's Merseyside rivals Everton headed off to Stoke City, where they suffered a rare 2-0 away defeat at the hands of the Potters.

Down in London, in-form Welshman Gareth Bale made the most of Rafael van der Vaart's free-kick on 42 minutes to give the honours to Spurs against Fulham.

Sunderland thrashed Blackburn Rovers at home with a decisive 3-0 victory thanks to on-loan Danny Welbeck, Darren Bent and substitute Asamoah Gyan.

And finally, in the late kick-off of the day, Birmingham played host to Arsenal. The visitors went ahead after 13 minutes thanks to a goal by Robin van Persie who fired in a goal from long range to the bottom right corner of the net.

In the second half, Arsenal extended their lead thanks to a goal by Samir Nasri from the edge of the penalty box. After a Roger Johnson own goal, the Gunners could celebrate a 3-0 victory.

New Year’s Day Premier League results:

Birmingham 0-3 Arsenal

Liverpool 2-1 Bolton Wanderers

Man City 1-0 Blackpool

Stoke 2-0 Everton

Sunderland 3-0 Blackburn

Tottenham 1-0 Fulham

West Brom 1-2 Man Utd

West Ham 2-0 Wolves