Arsenal and Manchester United both ground out Premier League home victories on New Year's Day, while Everton and Portsmouth won on the road.Eduardo da Silva struck inside the opening minute as Arsenal cruised past West Ham 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium to maintain their two-point lead at the summit.

The Croatia striker, who scored twice in the 4-1 rout of Everton at the weekend, took Cesc Fabregas' cross down on his chest before swivelling to fire a crisp left-foot volley into the corner of Robert Green's net.

Arsenal doubled their advantage after 18 minutes as Emmanuel Adebayor squeezed home from an acute angle after heading Gael Clichy's long ball past the onrushing Green.

Carlos Tevez's sublime goal was enough to see off the challenge of Birmingham and ensure Manchester United remain within striking distance of the Gunners.

The hosts came close to breaking the deadlock after 10 minutes as Tevez's header crashed back off the post before Cristiano Ronaldo - partnering the Argentinian in attack - saw a long-range volley dip over Maik Taylor's crossbar.

United's new-look strikeforce combined to devastating effect for the decisive goal after 25 minutes, though, as Tevez latched on to Ronaldo's audacious backheel to coolly slot past Taylor.

He celebrated with a child's dummy in his mouth but there was little entertainment after the goal at Old Trafford as United ran out 1-0 victors.

Everton bounced back from their mauling by Arsenal with a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough at the Riverside to go fifth in the table.

Andy Johnson broke the deadlock after 67 minutes with an angled drive past Mark Schwarzer before James McFadden sealed the win with a cool finish five minutes later.

Portsmouth recorded their seventh win in eight away games as they eased past 10-man Reading 2-0 at the Madejski Stadium.

The Royals got off to a disastrous start with defender Ibrahima Sonko receiving his marching orders after just three minutes for hauling down Benjani Mwaruwari in the penalty area.

Niko Kranjcar failed to take advantage, though, as his spot-kick crashed back off the upright.

But Pompey did have reason to celebrate after nine minutes as Sol Campbell prodded into an empty net after Marcus Hahnemann had dropped Sulley Muntari's inswinging free-kick.

They added a second after 65 minutes as John Utaka outpaced Nicky Shorey to latch on to Muntari's long ball and slot past the exposed Hahnemann.

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