Chelsea dropped points in the Premiership title race as they were held to a 1-1 draw by London rivals Wimbledon.

But Arsenal revived their fading championship aspirations with a 2-1 win over Leicester City.

Italian striker, Gianluca Vialli, put Chelsea ahead when Tore Andre Flo collected a ball on the left and delivered a low cross for Vialli to score from close range after eight minutes.

On 28 minutes, Michael Hughes, a Northern Ireland international, pounced on a weak back pass to get the equalising goal against the run of play.

In north London, Arsenal were breathing fresh life into their league campaign.

Former England captain, David Platt, put the Gunners ahead on 35 minutes with a free kick.

Arsenal dominated the early stages of the match and went 2-0 up in the 56th minute when Leicester captain, Steve Walsh, put one into his own net.

Leicester pulled a goal back when Neil Lennon seized on a mistake by England goalkeeper, David Seaman, who was caught in possession trying to dribble out of his area.

Relegation battles

West Ham's fine home form continued with a 1-0 victory over struggling Coventry, courtesy of a 17th minute strike by former Newcastle striker, Paul Kitson.

In the day's other early Premiership matches, relegation-haunted Bolton and Barnsley battled out a 1-1 draw at the Reebok Stadium for a result that did little for either side's hopes of survival.

Fellow strugglers, Southampton, also managed a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace - a result which leaves Palace still looking for their first home win of the season.

In the Nationwide First Division, the new West Bromwich Albion manager, Denis Smith, saw his side lose 2-1 at Reading. Charlton beat Norwich 2-1.
 

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