Paul Scholes joins the 100 club as United go top

Manchester United reclaimed top spot in the Premier League with a scrappy win over Wolves. Arsenal remain in the hunt thanks to their win over Burnley. Chelsea had their minds on other matters and secured a place in the FA Cup semi-finals after a win over Stoke. They are joined by Aston Villa, who staged a thrilling comeback to beat Reading 4-2, and Portsmouth, who saw off Birmingham. Fulham and Spurs must replay to decide who goes through.

paul scholeS - he scores goals

Paul Scholes became the latest member of the Premier League's 100 club as he secured Manchester United a 1-0 win over Wolves. He reached the landmark 15-and-a-half years after making his debut and in his 436th league appearance for United.

In an era where players have become celebrities the quietly-spoken Salford lad has shunned the limelight. He rarely talks to the media and famously concludes his contract negotiations within minutes. He quit the international scene in 2004 with 66 caps under his belt and, like Ryan Giggs, no longer plays every game for United. Yet he remains one of the best players in the Premier League.

Fellow professionals are quick to praise him. The legendary Zinedine Zidane once described him as "undoubtedly the greatest player of his generation". If it wasn't for the other remarkable talents that emerged from Old Trafford at the same time as Scholes, he would probably be more widely admired by fans.

WOLVES LACK BITE

Manchester United fielded their number one centre back pairing of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand for the first time since October against Wolves, but were fortunate to leave Molineux with a win under their belts.

Wolves carved out several chances and Stephen Ward and Sam Vokes spurned golden opportunities to score for Wolves. Vokes' miss was particularly glaring. He fired over from seven yards out with the goal gaping after United failed to clear a ball into the box.

Sir Alex Ferguson may have his best defenders fit again, but they need to rediscover the form that saw them set a record for clean sheets last season.

TERRY STILL PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE

Talking of centre-backs, John Terry was back to his old rock-solid self against Stoke in the FA Cup. The Chelsea skipper had a couple of wobbly moments in the aftermath of the Wayne Bridge, Vanessa Perroncel scandal, but looked imperious on Sunday and even got himself on the scoresheet.

But if he thought that opposition fans had forgiven his indiscretions after his England performance last week he had a rude awakening. The travelling Stoke supporters booed his every touch and hurled abuse at him all game.

Chelsea coach Ray Wilkins was even moved to suggest that he was taking "a bit too much stick" from the Potters. Words that will have been heeded by the fans of other clubs soon to play Chelsea - but not to Terry's advantage.

WALCOTT IS A 'POLITE FIGHTER'

Theo Walcott also endured his fair share of criticism last week after another toothless if pacy performance for England. But he was back at the Emirates on Saturday where he proved that he does have skill as well as speed by scoring for Arsenal in their 3-1 win over Burnley and setting up a host of chances for Nicklas Bendtner.

The winger even showed some backbone in squaring up to Burley's Daniel Fox. Walcott's boss Arsene Wenger suggested the moment was not entirely out of character when he cryptically described him as "a polite fighter".

BENDTNER SHOCKER

As for Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner, he had a terrible afternoon in front of goal. The big Dane squandered at least eight chances and missed three absolute sitters. Match of the Day pundits Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer could barely contain their astonishment at some of his howlers.

It's not the first time the forward has turned in a performance of such profligacy but Arsene Wenger chose not to criticise him in the aftermath. However the forward, who promised to fire Arsenal to the league title last month, must have been grateful that the Gunners hung on to win the game.

PERVERSE POMPEY

Portsmouth's season gets stranger and stranger. They are unbeaten since going into administration and have made it to the semi-finals of the FA Cup after a 2-0 win over Birmingham.

They now have a Wembley date, possibly against their old boss Harry Redknapp and his Spurs side that contains any number of former Pompey players. There's little doubt that the Portsmouth faithful will be backing Spurs in their replay against Fulham.

The financial benefits of the cup run may help the club survive, but the chance to get one over on Redknapp and co will be the biggest draw for the fans. ·