( dpa ) - Arsenal extended their lead over Manchester United at the top of the English Premier League Saturday to three points but were held 1-1 by Birmingham City at the Emirates Stadium.
A two goal win for United in the day's late kick-off against managerless Newcastle United would see the champions leapfrog the Gunners into first place on goal difference. Chelsea closed the gap on the leaders to three points with a 2-0 win at home to Tottenham.
Arsenal took the lead in the first half through a controversial Emmanuel Adebayor after Stephen Kelly tackled striker Eduardo from behind. But Gary O'Connor stunned the home side early in the second half when he headed in a Sebastian Larsson corner.
A stunning long-range effort from Juliano Belletti and a late goal from Shaun Wright-Phillips gave Chelsea a comfortable 2-0 win over Spurs at Stamford Bridge.
Further back, three teams now sit level on 39 points. Liverpool moved up into fourth place after coming from behind to draw 1-1 at Middlesbrough. Fernando Torres' superb strike in the 71st minute cancelled out George Boateng's goal for the home side.
Everton moved into fifth place and level with their Merseyside neighbours on 39 points with a 1-0 win over Manchester City. The defeated side dropped to seventh place as they were overtaken by Aston Villa who also moved onto 39 points with a 3-0 home win over Reading.
Wigan Athletic gained an important 1-0 victory at bottom-placed Derby while West Ham overcame Fulham 2-1 at Upton Park.