MANCHESTER United continued to suffer from inconsistency in their English Premier League challenge as they were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Aston Villa yesterday. With leaders Newcastle playing at Coventry today, Manchester United had a chance to temporarily close the gap at the top.
They did but only by one point, leaving them on 42 points, six behind Newcastle. United dominated the match in terms of possession but failed to create many chances.
The best of them fell to Andy Cole who missed a sitter in each half. Although Villa were happy with the result, it dropped them from fifth to seventh in the table.
Arsenal took over fifth spot after a battling performance at Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium which saw the Londoners lead twice and come back from 2-1 down for a thrilling 3-2 victory.
Paul Merson put Arsenal ahead, lobbing Gary Walsh in the seventh minute.
Boro's Brazilian midfielder Juninho equalised when he blasted home from close range in the 38th. And last year's Brazilian player of the year helped put Boro ahead with a superb through ball to Phil Stamp who found the net on the hour. But that lead was shortlived as Arsenal struck twice in four minutes through David Platt and Glenn Helder to regain the advantage. Middlesbrough's efforts to salvage a point were hampered by the late sending off of midfielder Alan Moore. Tottenham passed Liverpool into third place with a 1-0 home win over Manchester City, courtesy of a Chris Armstrong headed goal from Sol Campbell's cross. The match was not spectacular and City played well Spurs are now just one point behind Manchester United. Old warhorse Ian Rush turned supersub to save a point for Liverpool with a dramatic last-minute equaliser as the Reds drew 1-1 with Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough. Rush came on as substitute to avert defeat with a strike from a Robbie Fowler set-up.
