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Liverpool finished top of the premiership in 2008 as they demolished Newcastle 5-1 at St James Park, Fulham snatched a late 2-2 draw against Chelsea at Craven Cottage, Arsenal scored late on to defeat Portsmouth 1-0 at the Emirates whilst Robinho scored a last gasp goal at Ewood Park to give Man City a 2-2 draw against Blackburn Rovers.

It was Play2Up favourite Steven Gerrard who got Liverpool off to a perfect start against Newcastle with his 7th league goal of the season when he smashed in from a Yossi Benayoun pass. Liverpool’s second came from some slack set play marking which allowed Sami Hyypia a free header from a corner which the defender accurately nodded in.

Liverpool could been out of sight by half-time except for some world-class saves from goalkeeper Shay Given, Newcastle did pull one back on the stroke of half-time courtesy of a fine header from David Edgar but after the re-start a combination of poor marking and stylish play saw Liverpool run away with the game with further goals from Ryan Babel, a second for Steven Gerrard and a Xabi Alonso penalty secure their place as league leaders as we head into 2009.

Chelsea fell three points behind Liverpool as they could only manage a 2-2 draw against a rugged Fulham side. Fulham had taken the early lead after Clint Dempsey flicked past Petr Cech but a Frank Lampard double either side of half-time seemed to have given Chelsea a routine victory but Fulham dug deep and with a minute to go to full-time Dempsey popped up again to send the home faithful into jubilation and leave Chelsea 3 points behind Liverpool.

Arsenal kept their slim title hopes alive by beating Portsmouth after controversial ex-captain William Gallas scored the games only goal with 10 minutes left to play. Arsenal could have won the game comfortably with Emmanuel Adebayor missing a golden chance in the second half but an error in judgement from Portsmouth stopper David James allowed Gallas to put the ball in the net and get the Gunners all 3 points.

An enthralling game at Ewood Park saw visitors Man City come from 2-0 behind with 5 minutes left to grab a draw against Blackburn. Rovers had looked like securing all the points after goals from Benni McCarthy and Jason Roberts gave them a comfortable lead.

Substitute Daniel Sturridge gave the visitors a lifeline with 4 minutes left when he volleyed home after some silky footwork from Brazilian international Robinho and Play2Up gamers would of watched with great interest as the two players linked again, with 25 seconds remaining of stoppage time Sturridge turned provider as his superb through ball found a unmarked Robinho who coolly finished to score his 11th league goal of the season which silenced Ewood Park.

Elsewhere, West Ham defeated Stoke 2-1 at Upton Park with the real highlight of the game being Stoke striker Ricardo Fuller being sent off for slapping club captain Andy Griffin for being at fault for West Hams first goal, Everton continued their recent good run of form with a comfortable 3-0 win over Sunderland, Play2Up favourite Zaki scored his 10th league goal of the season to give Wigan a 1-0 win over Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok stadium and West Bromwich Albion beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at The Hawthorns to keep their ambition of remaining in the Premiership alive.

England and Liverpool footballer Steven Gerrard has been charged with assault and affray following a disturbance outside a Merseyside nightclub.

The 28-year-old was arrested along with five other men near the Lounge Inn in Southport in the early hours of Monday.

A 34-year-old man was taken to hospital with facial injuries, not thought to be life-threatening.

Manchester United kept up the pressure on Liverpool and Chelsea as Dimitar Berbatov's third league goal for the club saw off a spirited Middlesbrough.

Though United had better chances, the brave visitors defended manfully and could have taken the lead when Tuncay headed just wide in the 61st minute.

But substitute Paul Scholes steadied the ship and Dimitar Berbatov blasted in from close range six minutes later. United move seven points behind leaders Liverpool with two games in hand.

Not even a global financial crisis has prevented the Premier League's transfer rumour mill going into overdrive as 1 January approaches.

But despite the whirlwind of rumours, the harsh financial reality means this could be one of the quietest new year buying and selling periods on record as clubs opt to make do with the players they already have on their books.

Several clubs could change all that in an instant though. Moneybags Manchester City could spark things into life with one big signing from a Premier League rival, while Portsmouth and West Ham may be forced to sell their more valuable assets simply to balance the books.

Liverpool cemented their place at the Premier League summit with a ruthless demolition of Newcastle United.

Given set the tone for his one-man show of defiance by blocking Dirk Kuyt and saving brilliantly twice from Gerrard inside the first 13 minutes. Newcastle's survival for the first 31 minutes had been almost miraculous - but it could not last and to say Liverpool deserved the lead Gerrard gave them was a massive under-statement.

Benitez was in the directors' box recovering from surgery for kidney stones as Liverpool exposed Newcastle's every flaw throughout 90 minutes of torture for the home fans - providing further confirmation that the Merseysiders' are in this title race for the long haul.