PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS: Superb Malouda fires Chelsea back to top

A FINE performance from Florent Malouda fired Chelsea back to the top of the table with a hard-fought victory over London rivals West Ham United at Stamford Bridge.

BACK IN FORM: French winger Florent Malouda excels as Chelsea dominate London rivals West Ham to return to the summit of the Premier League (Getty Images)

Trailing Manchester United by two points at the start of the day, Chelsea were forced to dig deep to chalk up a 4-1 victory to claim their first home league win in more than a month.

Alex had given the Blues the lead in the 16 minute as the Brazilian rose highest to nod home the impressive Malouda's floated cross, just minutes after Ilan had missed a golden chance for the Hammers.

But the visitors were back on level terms on the half-hour mark as Scott Parker thundered an unstoppable drive past Ross Turnbull from 25 yards to net against his former club.

Last time out at home, Chelsea were humbled by Manchester City 4-2 and as the game grew older, the Stamford Bridge crowd grew restless. However, Didier Drogba's 56th minute header eased the tension after another excellent cross from Malouda.

The Frenchman grabbed the goal his performance deserved with a fine low shot from 20 yards before Drogba made sure with his second goal in the dying minutes.

Arsenal stayed level points with Chelsea in second place with a 2-1 win at Hull City.

Niklas Bendtner, who struck a hat-trick in the Gunners' midweek Champions League win over Porto, spared the London-side's blushes at the KC Stadium, notching in injury time to hand his side the points.

Andrei Arshavin tricked his way through for Arsenal's opener in the 14th minute before prodding home but Jimmy Bullard restored parity from the penalty spot 14 minutes later, smashing home with trademark zest after Sol Campbell's clumsy challenge on Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.

Arsenal protested the Dutch striker had strayed offside but left it late to secure the win they felt they deserved, as Bendtner continued his mean streak in front of goal, prodding home the rebound after Denilson's hopeful drive was parried by Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill.

Elsewhere, Tottenham tightened their grip on fourth place in the day's early kick-off as Roman Pavlyuchenko continued his rich vein of form, netting twice in a 3-1 win over Blackburn.

Jermain Defoe had given the hosts the lead on the stroke of half-time before his Russian strike partner rifled home Spurs' second from the edge of the box in a classic counter-attacking move.

Chris Samba gave Blackburn hope with a close-range with ten minutes to go but Pavlyuchenko made the points safe with his seventh strike in his last five matches.

Meanwhile, Bolton picked up a much-needed three points with a thumping 4-0 win over Wigan Athletics courtesy of goals from Johan Elmander, a Kevin Davies penalty, Fabrice Muamba and Matt Taylor.

And Everton let a two-goal lead slip at Birmingham as Cameron Jerome and Craig Gardner rescued a point for the Blues after Victor Anichebe and Yakubu had given David Moyes' men a comfortable lead.

Wolves secured a crucial away win at fellow strugglers Burnley as Mick McCarthy's men clung on for a 2-1 lead with Steven Thompson ensuring a thrilling finale at Turf Moor after Matt Jarvis and a Clarke Carlisle own goal handed the visitors a two-goal lead.

And at the Britannia Stadium, Stoke and Aston Villa both fired blanks in a 0-0 draw.