JOIN USFernando Torres scored twice as third-placed Chelsea won 3-1 at Sunderland to record their first Premier League victory under interim manager Rafael Benitez on Saturday.
The Spaniard struck twice in the first half, his second from the penalty spot, and he almost completed a hat-trick shortly after halftime when his ferocious shot rebounded off the woodwork for compatriot Juan Mata to tap home.
Two Mikel Arteta penalties helped Arsenal to a 2-0 home win over West Bromwich Albion, a first victory in four league games moving the Gunners up to sixth.
Norwich City are unbeaten in 10 matches in all competitions after a 4-3 victory at Swansea City although Michu's double for the Swans after the break nearly helped the home side make an unlikely escape having trailed 3-0 at halftime.
Leaders Manchester United face champions Manchester City on Sunday protecting a three-point advantage over their neighbours.
Torres had gone two months without scoring a Premier League goal but after scoring twice in his side's 6-1 thrashing of Nordsjaelland in the Champions League in midweek El Nino appears to be re-discovering some confidence in front of goal.
He struck in the 11th minute with a classy finish from Eden Hazard's cross and doubled the lead on the stroke of halftime when he sent Sunderland ’keeper Simon Mignolet the wrong way from the penalty spot. Surprisingly it was the first penalty Torres had taken in English football.
Mata was on hand to make it 3-0 in the 49th minute when he converted a rebound after Torres let fly with his left foot and the ball cannoned against the crossbar.Sunderland responded with Adam Johnson's sweetly struck shot but Chelsea stood firm in the face of some belated home pressure to move to 29 points, seven behind leaders Manchester United.
Arsenal were good value for their win against West Brom but the main talking point was an apparent dive by Santi Cazorla in the 26th minute which allowed Arteta to score from the spot. There was no question about the legitimacy of Arsenal's second penalty in the 64th minute when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was felled by Chris Brunt.