Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas (right) challenges West Ham United's Hayden Mullins during their Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium in London yesterday. Arsenal won 2-0. - Reuters

LONDON (Reuters):

ARSENAL STRODE into the New Year with their lead at the top of the Premier League intact after a comfortable 2-0 victory over London rivals West Ham United yesterday.

Early goals from strikers Eduardo and Emmanuel Adebayor did the damage at the Emirates as Arsenal completed the double over a side that beat them home and away last season.

Close on their tail

Manchester United, who lost top spot on Saturday after a surprise 2-1 loss at West Ham, kept close on the tail of the Gunners thanks to a Carlos Tevez goal in an nervy 1-0 defeat of Birmingham City at Old Trafford.

Arsenal have 50 points from 21 games, two points more than champions United, while Chelsea have 44 after coming from behind to beat Fulham 2-1 in a lunchtime kickoff with goals from Salomon Kalou and Michael Ballack.

Moved up

Everton moved up to fifth after a 2-0 victory at Middlesbrough, while Aston Villa are sixth following a 2-1 home defeat of Tottenham Hotspur thanks to a late headed winner from Martin Laursen.

Portsmouth won 2-0 at Reading where the home side played virtually the entire match with 10 men after Ibrahima Sonko was sent off in the fourth minute.

Fourth-placed Liverpool are not in action until today when they welcome struggling Wigan Athletic at Anfield.