London - Dimitar Berbatov headed a last-gasp winner as champions Manchester United won 1-0 at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday to go top of the English League for the first time this season.

Bolton defended stoutly throughout but finally wilted in the 90th minute when Berbatov headed Carlos Tevez's cross past Jussi Jaaskelainen to seal the three points.

The win moved United one point ahead ahead of Liverpool, who play Everton on Monday night.

Chelsea, too, snatched a dramatic win to keep their title hopes alive, coming from a goal down with two minutes to go to snatch a 2-1 win over Stoke City, with Frank Lampard hammering in the winner.

West Bromwich Albion moved off the bottom with a 3-0 win over Middlesbrough, leaving Tottenham Hotspur at the foot of the standings.

With Wayne Rooney missing through injury, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson started with Berbatov and Tevez in attack but his side were thwarted for almost 90 minutes by a committed Bolton defence.

Jaaskelainen saved brilliantly from a header by Cristiano Ronaldo and the Finn pulled off a series of superb saves in the second half but United finally snatched the winner through Berbatov's header in the dying seconds.

Berbatov's goal ensured United their ninth 1-0 victory of the season and extended their run of clean sheets to 10, equalling the Premier League record previously held by Chelsea.

At Stamford Bridge, Rory Delap lifted the ball over Petr Cech to put Stoke ahead on the hour mark, but Juliano Belletti headed the equalizer late on and Lampard smashed in the winner with a left-foot strike deep into injury time.

Aston Villa leapfrogged them into third, though, after they came from behind to win 2-1 at Sunderland, with Gareth Barry firing the winner from the penalty spot 10 minutes from time.

Villa, who played the last 20 minutes with just 10 men after Ashley Young was sent off, are now one point ahead of Chelsea and three behind the leaders.

Manchester City ended a week of transfer rumours - concerning Brazilian Kaka - on a high note with a 1-0 win over Wigan Athletic to move away from trouble.

Pablo Zabaleta put City in front after 53 minutes and City survived the sending off of captain Richard Dunne one minute later to take all three points.

West Brom moved off the bottom of the table after a convincing 3-0 win over Middlesbrough.

Chris Brunt put the home side in front after four minutes and two second-half goals from Rob Koren secured three vital points in their battle for survival, level on 21 points with Middlesbrough.

Tottenham Hotspur, who play Portsmouth on Sunday, now prop up the table one point behind after Blackburn Rovers beat Newcastle United 3-0 at Ewood Park.

A penalty from Benni McCarthy and a goal from Jason Roberts were enough to give manager Sam Allardyce victory over his former side. dpa