United beat Arsenal to edge closer to title

Manchester United surged six points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 2-1 comeback victory over Arsenal at Old Trafford yesterday that also snuffed out the London club's slim title hopes.

Emmanuel Adebayor put Arsenal ahead early in the second half but a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty levelled and Owen Hargreaves won it with a 72nd-minute free-kick.

The result leaves United on 80 points, six clear of Chelsea, who host Wigan today, with Arsenal on 71. United still have to play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal travelled back to the north west knowing they needed a win to save their season having been knocked out of the Champions League at Anfield on Tuesday.

They made most of the running in an open first half but were let down by some unconvincing finishing, especially by Adebayor.

However, the Togo striker did find the target three minutes into the second half, in controversial circumstances. Robin van Persie crossed from the left and with United's defenders leaving the ball for keeper Edwin Van der Sar, Adebayor nipped in between them to put the ball into the net with his arm.

Just as they had in their midweek classic at Anfield, Arsenal handed the initiative straight back through poor defending, this time William Gallas handling in the box to give away a penalty six minutes later.

Ronaldo, forced to take the spot kick twice after the referee blew for encroachment, duly dispatched it for his 38th goal of the season.

In between the goals, Van der Sar had to make two sharp saves to prevent own goals as Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown deflected crosses goalwards.

United though always looked dangerous and got the winner when Hargreaves planted a perfectly-executed 20-metre free-kick over the wall and into the unprotected half of Jens Lehmann's goal.

United held out without too many further scares to inflict a defeat that left Arsenal with a tally of eight points from their last eight league games having led the league by five points two months ago.

"The quality of that game today was outstanding," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "Arsenal were the better team in the first half, we were a bit nervous, the passing was poor.

"It was just an incredible game. Van der Sar saved us at times."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger accepted that his title challenge was over but said: "I think we played with quality and spirit and I'm very proud of our performance.

"We had plenty of chances and were really unlucky."

Gerrard inspiration

Liverpool tightened their grip on fourth place in the Premier League with superbly taken goals from Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres helping them to a 3-1 win over Blackburn Rovers at Anfield yesterday.

The win kept Liverpool in fourth place, five points clear of fifth-placed Everton in the race for a Champions League spot.

Gerrard, making his 300th league appearance for the club and playing with his typical driving authority, opened the scoring after 60 minutes, had a hand in the second goal and was unlucky not to be awarded a penalty in the opening half.

The result left Rovers in ninth place with their hopes of a UEFA Cup place looking more remote.

Upcoming fixtures

Wednesday: Scottish Premier League 20.45 Celtic vs Rangers.

Thursday: English Premier League 21.00 Everton vs Chelsea.

Saturday: English Premier League 13.45 Arsenal vs Reading. 16.00 Fulham vs Liverpool; Middlesbrough vs Bolton; West Ham United vs Derby; Wigan vs Tottenham. 18.15 Blackburn Rovers vs Manchester United.

Sunday: English Premier League 13.00 Aston Villa vs Birmingham. 14.30 Newcastle vs Sunderland. 17.00 Manchester City vs Portsmouth.