But the resistance was futile as Freddie Ljungberg found a way past Dean Kiely after 33 minutes to give Arsenal a half-time lead.

And Charlton were left in tatters when a slice of Thierry Henry genius doubled the lead, as the Frenchman found space in the box and backheeled the ball past the unsuspecting Kiely early in the second half.

It was all over from that point and a sublime passing move resulted in Henry’s second after great work by Jose Reyes. Reyes got himself on the scoresheet to compound the Addicks’ grief and substitute Robin van Persie had a late effort disallowed.

Defender Simon Charlton rescued a point for Norwich as they came from behind twice to draw 2-2 at home to Portsmouth.

The situation looked grim for Norwich as Portsmouth went in 1-0 up at the break. Pompey’s record signing Diomansy Kamara missed three excellent chances to score before Aiyegbeni Yakubu broke the deadlock.

Darren Huckerby managed to bring Norwich level shortly after the hour mark. His penalty was saved by Shaka Hislop but Huckerby was first to the rebound, which he slammed home.

Patrik Berger’s belting 35-yard free-kick beat Robert Green to put Portsmouth ahead again but they were pegged back once again when Charlton headed home two minutes later.

Both sides had to come from behind as Blackburn and Aston Villa played out a 2-2 draw.

Rovers found themselves a goal down against the visitors but a strike from captain Barry Ferguson drew them level on the half-hour, five minutes after Juan Pablo Angel’s opener.

And new signing Youri Djorkaeff set up Blackburn’s second goal to put them ahead, his measured pass allowing Brett Emerton to coolly score past Thomas Sorensen after Angel had seen a goal disallowed for offside.

But after suffering a torrid afternoon, defender Olof Mellberg pounced after a Villa corner to bring his side level 10 minutes from time.

Everton were made to pay after wasting numerous first-half chances against Spurs, losing 1-0.

Tim Cahill was the main culprit, hitting the post and he missed a great opportunity before the break.

Spurs made them pay when defender Noe Pamarot put them ahead eight minutes into the second half, heading Robbie Keane’s cross back across goal and into the net past goalkeeper Nigel Martyn.

In the day’s lunchtime match, Southampton and Manchester City cancelled each other out at St Mary’s.

City had the best of the chances and looked more comfortable than Steve Wigley’s men, but after Nicolas Anelka, Sun Jihai, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Peter Crouch and Kevin Phillips all wasted opportunities, the match ended goalless.