Chelsea put seven past Villa as leaders turn up the heat

REUTERS - Manchester United and Chelsea turned up the heat in the Premier League title race with thumping victories on Saturday that left Arsenal struggling to hang on.

Frank Lampard struck four goals for Chelsea in a 7-1 demolition of Aston Villa to put the London club briefly on top with 71 points before United responded with a 4-0 victory at Bolton Wanderers, Dimitar Berbatov scoring twice for the champions.

United, chasing a record 19th top-flight title, have 72 points while Arsenal are third on 68 after Birmingham City netted in stoppage time to earn a 1-1 draw at St Andrews.

Tottenham Hotspur strengthened their grip on fourth spot with a 2-0 home win over relegation-bound Portsmouth while West Ham United lost 1-0 at home to Stoke City, their sixth league defeat in succession.

West Ham are out of the bottom three only on goal difference after Hull City matched them on 27 points with a 2-0 victory over Fulham. Wolverhampton Wanderers maintained their improved form with a 0-0 draw against Everton.