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Anelka ensures happy start for Hiddink
Saturday 21 February 2009
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Nicolas Anelka (third from left) enjoys his Chelsea winner with his team-matesNicolas Anelka (third from left) enjoys his Chelsea winner with his team-mates (©Getty Images)Photos/WallpapersPhotos/Wallpapers »

Guus Hiddink made a winning start to his temporary role as Chelsea FC manager after Nicolas Anelka's 19th-minute goal gave them a 1-0 victory at Aston Villa FC but his Russia charge Andrei Arshavin was frustrated as his Arsenal FC debut ended in a 0-0 draw with Sunderland AFC while Cristiano Ronaldo ensured leaders Manchester United FC defeated Blackburn Rovers FC 2-1 for a tenth straight Premier League success.

Anelka strike
Chelsea needed three points to move ahead of Villa into third place but were facing a side unbeaten in 13 league games. Anelka, paired with Didier Drogba by Hiddink, ran on to a subtle Frank Lampard pass before lofting the ball past Brad Friedel to take his league-leading goal tally to 15. Ashley Young hit the underside of the crossbar with a free-kick for Villa late in the first half and they threatened after the break, but Chelsea held on to stay within ten points of United.

United prevail
Resting record-breaking goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar in view of midweek UEFA Champions League commitments, United led on 23 minutes through Wayne Rooney but just past the half-hour Roque Santa Cruz became the first player to strike against Sir Alex Ferguson's side in the league since 8 November. However, Blackburn remain in the bottom three thanks to Ronaldo's neat free-kick on the hour which took United eight points ahead of Liverpool FC, who play Manchester City FC on Sunday, when Fulham FC face bottom side West Bromwich Albion FC and Newcastle United FC take on Everton FC.

Arsenal held
Arsenal are five points adrift of fourth-placed Villa after drawing a blank at home to Sunderland despite fielding Arshavin for the first time since his signing from FC Zenit St. Petersburg. Middlesbrough FC remain second from bottom after their winless league run stretched to 14 games with a 0-0 draw against Wigan Athletic FC. Stoke City FC moved two points ahead of Blackburn though they conceded a last-minute Ryan Shawcross own goal to finish 2-2 against Portsmouth FC. Bolton Wanderers FC moved away from danger by defeating West Ham United FC 2-1.

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