Arsenal went top of the English Premier League after coming from 2-0 down to beat Bolton Wanderers 4-2 on Wednesday at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners needed to win by two clear goals to go ahead of Chelsea on goal difference but that looked unlikely as they fell two goals down inside half an hour, just three days after winning 2-0 away to the same opponents.
Bolton went in front through Gary Cahill before Matt Taylor's penalty doubled their lead as they looked to give Owen Coyle his first win as manager.
However, Arsenal pulled one back before half-time through Tomas Rosicky before goals from Cesc Fabregas, Thomas Vermaelen and Andrey Arshavin sealed their comeback at the Emirates Stadium.
“For us, it was a big mountain to climb in the two games against a team with a new manager, you get two Cup games. You needed special quality to win the two games,” Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said.
Meanwhile, Liverpool moved to within a point of the top four and a place in next season's Champions League with a 2-0 win at home to fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield.
Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt gave the Merseysiders an early lead before making sure of victory with a stoppage-time penalty as they put their FA Cup exit at the hands of second division Reading and last weekend's lacklustre draw with Stoke behind them.
{{/usCountry}}Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt gave the Merseysiders an early lead before making sure of victory with a stoppage-time penalty as they put their FA Cup exit at the hands of second division Reading and last weekend's lacklustre draw with Stoke behind them.
{{/usCountry}}Wednesday's win was all the sweeter for Liverpool as they were without injured star players Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.
“Everyone worked so hard,” said under-fire Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez.
“We know it will be a long way but we had to believe we could reduce the gap today.”