MANCHESTER, England (AP):

Arsenal are back on top of the Premier League with the season about to reach the halfway point as manager Arsene Wenger looks to win the trophy for the first time in a decade.

Theo Walcott's double ensured Liverpool's stay atop the standings lasted less than a week as Arsenal came from behind to win 3-1 at West Ham and their title rivals lost 2-1 at Manchester City yesterday.

As Liverpool dropped to fourth, City climbed a place to second to sit a point behind Arsenal after the traditional Boxing Day programme that saw every team in action.

Chelsea are wedged in-between City and Liverpool in third after 18 games after Eden Hazard's swerving shot secured a 1-0 victory over Swansea.

With Manchester United recovering to win 3-2 at Hull, it was left to bottom-place Sunderland to conjure the only Boxing Day shock by beating highflying Everton.

Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard was sent off for bringing down Ki Sung-Yeung, who then scored from the penalty spot to give Sunderland a 1-0 victory against the fifth-place team.

Newcastle closed in on the top four after routing Stoke 5-1 to remain ahead of United in sixth place.

Tottenham dropped to eighth after Tim Sherwood's first match in full charge ended in a 1-1 draw against West Bromwich Albion.

Cardiff could be the next club searching for a new manager as Malky Mackay's side were beaten 3-0 by Southampton.

A change of manager has sparked a revival at Crystal Palace, with Tony Pulis producing a third success of the month after Dwight Gayle clinched a 1-0 win at Aston Villa in stoppage time.

Rene Meulensteen is celebrating his second win as Fulham manager after his struggling team came from behind to overcome Norwich 2-1.

At Upton Park, Arsenal fell behind when goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny spilled Kevin Nolan's shot and Carlton Cole pounced to score a minute into the second half.

West Ham goalkeeper Adrian was also culpable for Arsenal's equalizer, with Walcott cutting in from the right and shooting between his legs in the 68th.

Walcott headed Arsenal in front three minutes later, and Lukas Podolski rounded off the win that sent West Ham into the relegation zone.

City also had to come from behind to make it nine wins out of nine at home.

Phillippe Coutinho put Liverpool ahead in the 24th minute after Raheem Sterling rounded City goalkeeper Joe Hart to set him up.

Vincent Kompany headed City level seven minutes later after meeting David Silva's corner, and Alvaro Negredo's high shot was fumbled into the net by Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet on the stroke of half-time.