Late goal saves Gunners

Updated 19.22 Sat Mar 01 2008

Keywords: football, Barclays Premier League, Arsenal, Aston Villa

Arsenal held on to top spot in the Barclays Premier League thanks to a last-gasp equaliser against Aston Villa at the Emirates.

Villa had led for much of the match through a 28th minute Philippe Senderos own goal, but Nicolas Bendtner salvaged a point for the Gunners in the third minute of injury time.

Villa had led for much of the match through a 28th minute Philippe Senderos own goal, but Nicolas Bendtner salvaged a point for the Gunners

Manchester United and Chelsea both closed the gap with emphatic wins away from home.

United put three past relegation-threatened Fulham at Craven Cottage with goals from Owen Hargreaves (15 minutes), Park Ji-Sung (45) and a Simon Davies own goal in the 72nd minute.

Frank Lampard scored the opener for Chelsea early in the first half of their 4-0 win at West Ham but was sent off after 36 minutes.

Joe Cole (20 mins) and Michael Ballack (22), ensured that Chelsea at a three-goal cushion before Lampard's dismissal, and they were still able to add a fourth through Ashley Cole in the second half.

The three results mean it is as-you-were at the top of the table, but Manchester United have cut Arsenal's lead to one point.

Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur appeared to have a cup hangover - going down 4-1 at Birmingham City - where Mikael Forssell scored a hat-trick.

Blackburn added to Newcastle's woes by scoring a 90th minute winner through Matt Derbyshire at St James' Park.

Derby and Sunderland played out a 0-0 stalemate at Pride Park, but relegation rivals Reading scored late to pick up a vital three points at Middlesbrough.

In the evening kick-off it was also goalless between Manchester City and Wigan atthe City of Manchester Stadium.