Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey blew the Premier League title race wide open as his second-half goal clinched a 1-0 win over leaders Manchester United yesterday.
A victory at the Emirates Stadium would have put United within touching distance of a record 19th league title, but Sir Alex Ferguson’s side gave a strangely subdued display and Chelsea can now climb above them into first place if they win next Sunday’s crunch clash at Old Trafford.
Second-placed Chelsea trail United by just three points and a win in Manchester would leave them favourites to retain the title with only two games to play after next weekend.
United, who have now failed to win at any of their top-six rivals this season, paid the price for their lethargy when Ramsey struck in the 56th minute.
After starting the weekend firmly in control of the title race, United are in severe danger of surrendering the initiative to a resurgent Chelsea, who have won eight of their last nine league games.
With Cesc Fabregas sidelined by a thigh injury suffered in training on Saturday, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger brought Ramsey into the youngest starting eleven of any Premier League club this season.
Wenger’s side should have had a penalty midway through the first half when Nemanja Vidic clearly used his hand to deflect Theo Walcott’s cross away from Robin van Persie as the Dutchman prepared to head towards goal.
However, neither referee Chris Foy nor his linesman Andy Garratt spotted the Serbia defender’s blatant offence.
Arsenal took the lead when Ramsey scored his first Gunners goal since January 2010.
Van Persie twisted and turned in the penalty area before cutting back to Ramsey, who side-footed a first-time shot past Edwin van der Sar.
United’s Michael Owen could have won a penalty when he was tackled by Gael Clichy, but Arsenal deservedly held on for their first victory over United since November 2008, a result which keeps alive their own slender title hopes.
Manchester City took control of the battle for fourth place as Roberto Mancini’s side beat West Ham 2-1 at Eastlands.
City are now seven points clear of Liverpool and Tottenham as they try to secure the final Champions League qualifying position.
Nigel de Jong gave City the lead with his first goal for the club in the 10th minute before Pablo Zabaleta’s shot was turned into his own net by Lars Jacobsen five minutes later.
Demba Ba reduced the deficit in the 33rd minute but West Ham remain bottom of the table and three points from safety.
Earlier yesterday, Liverpool moved into fifth place with a 3-0 win over Newcastle at Anfield. Maxi Rodriguez opened the scoring in the 10th minute when his shot deflected in off Danny Simpson.
Dirk Kuyt bagged Liverpool’s second goal with a penalty in the 59th minute after Luis Suarez was fouled by Mike Williamson.
Suarez added the third himself six minutes later to lift Liverpool above Spurs on goal difference, although Harry Redknapp’s team have a game in hand to regain the Europa League qualifying place.
At St Andrew’s, 10-man Birmingham boosted their survival bid by holding on for a 1-1 draw against fellow strugglers Wolves.
Alex McLeish’s team, who are now four points above the relegation zone, fell behind to Steven Fletcher’s seventh-minute penalty before Sebastian Larsson equalised in the 27th minute.
Birmingham had Craig Gardner sent off for a second booking after the midfielder was penalised for diving but Wolves, who remain second-bottom, were unable to take advantage.
Summaries
Arsenal 1
Ramsey 56;
Man. United 0
HT: 0-0. Att: 60,107.
Birmingham 1
Larsson 27;
Wolves 1
Fletcher 7 pen;
HT: 1-1. Att: 26,072.
Red card: Gardner (B) 29.
Liverpool 3
Rodriguez 10; Kuyt 59 pen; Suarez 65;
Newcastle 0
HT: 1-0. Att: 44,923.
Man. City 2
De Jong 10; Zabaleta 15;
West Ham 1
Ba 33
HT: 2-1. Att: 44,511.