( AFP ) - Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal proved they have the character as well as the quality needed to win the Premier League after their 2-1 victory at Aston Villa.
Emmanuel Adebayor's first half header sent Wenger's side five points clear at the top after Mathieu Flamini had cancelled out Craig Gardner's opener for Villa.
The Gunners turned on the style in the first half but it was their resilient display as Villa pressed after the break that impressed Wenger more.
"The first half was amazing. It was a classy display," he said. "In the second half we were resilient and showed a different side to our game. That means commitment and character.
"We dealt well with the pressure. It was an interesting game that showed a different side to us.
"I feel we were really tested. We were 1-0 down against a team full of confidence and quality. We deserve a lot of credit for coming out with the points."
The only dark cloud for Wenger was an injury to Alexander Hleb following a hasty tackle by John Carew that could keep him out of Wednesday's match at Newcastle. "It was a bad tackle. I don't know how bad it is but it looks to be a kick on his Achilles."
Chelsea's resurgence continued as Joe Cole's late goal clinched a hard-fought 1-0 win against West Ham.
Cole broke his former club's resistance in the 76th minute when he ran on to Salomon Kalou's flick and just beat the offside trap before rounding Robert Green and shooting high into the roof of the net.
Avram Grant's side were well below their best at Stamford Bridge but produced a gritty performance that extended their unbeaten run to 14 matches.
Grant was unhappy with West Ham's physical approach and said: "In the first half we had to be busy reacting to their aggressive game, which we had been expecting, but in the second half we played our game and went on to win."
Steve Bruce made an instant impact on Wigan as he started his reign with a 1-1 draw against Manchester City at the JJB Stadium.
Bruce was taking charge of his first match following his protracted move from Birmingham and was able to stop Wigan's run of eight successive defeats.
It had looked like being a depressing day for Bruce as high-flying City took the lead in the first minute.
Titus Bramble's miscued clearance let in Geovanni and the Brazilian rounded Chris Kirkland before slotting home. But Wigan hit back after 25 minutes when Paul Scharner met Jason Koumas's cross with a diving header.
Bruce was made to sweat for his point as defender Mario Melchiot was sent off for violent conduct in the final minutes but the hosts held on.
"I certainly could not have imagined a worse start," Bruce said. "It was horrific but in fairness the lads could have folded but they had the courage to make a fist of it after that."
David Bentley increased the pressure on Sam Allardyce as the Blackburn winger's double strike set up a 3-1 win over Newcastle.
Allardyce will be feeling the heat after his side's fifth successive match without a win. The beleaguered Newcastle boss was jeered after the home defeats against Portsmouth and Liverpool and the travelling fans were unhappy again at Ewood Park.
Obafemi Martins put the visitors in front in the 47th minute. But Bentley equalised in the 54th minute with a superb free-kick.
Bentley's second was nearly as good as he drilled in a fine low strike in the 67th minute. Tugay put the result beyond doubt in the 90th minute.
"It was a terrific effort and we had lots of opportunities to win but this is the Premier League and it is a cruel place," Allardyce said.
Paul Jewell suffered a painful start to his Derby reign as Anthony Stokes's stoppage time goal gave Sunderland a 1-0 win over the rock-bottom Rams at the Stadium of Light.
Jewell said: "It's a real kick in the teeth when it happens like that. You are disappointed when it looks like you are earning a draw."
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp endured a frustrating end to a trying week as his side were held to a 0-0 draw by Everton.
Four days after being one of five men arrested by the City of London police force as part of an investigation into allegations of corruption in the game, Redknapp saw a tedious stalemate at Fratton Park.
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate breathed a sigh of relief as Tuncay's late equaliser earned a 1-1 draw after Dave Kitson put Reading ahead at the Madejski Stadium.
Southgate said: "We've slipped a place but it was still a very important point for us."
Liverpool host Bolton and Tottenham play Birmingham on Sunday. Manchester United entertain Fulham on Monday.
