The Hindu : Sport / Football : Arsenal snatches late win; Manchester United slips

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Arsenal snatches late win; Manchester United slips

— Photo: AP

TEAM SPIRIT: Liverpool’s Ryan Babel (right) celebrates his goal with teammates.

LONDON: Arsenal extended its lead at the top of the English Premier League football with a dramatic 2-0 win over Wigan, while Manchester United slumped to a shock 1-0 defeat at Bolton on Saturday.

Arsene Wenger’s side moved three points clear of the second-placed United thanks to goals from William Gallas and Tomas Rosicky in the final seven minutes at the Emirates Stadium.

There was more good news for Arsenal from the Reebok Stadium, where Nicolas Anelka, a former Arsenal forward, helped his old club as his first-half winner ended United’s 10-match unbeaten run in the league.

Arsenal found it hard to break down Wigan, but eventually took the lead when captain Gallas headed home in the 83rd minute.

Czech midfielder Rosicky’s goal two minutes later ensured Wigan slumped to a seventh successive defeat.

Bolton stunned the champion in the 11th minute when Anelka punished sloppy marking to turn in Ivan Campo’s free-kick.

Steven Gerrard’s stunning strike put Liverpool on course for a stylish 3-0 win against Newcastle.

Gerrard broke the deadlock at St. James’ Park with a fierce long-ranger in the 28th minute and Dirk Kuyt’s close range effort a minute after half-time left Rafa Benitez’s side in complete control.

Liverpool added the third in the 66th minute with Ryan Babel side-footing home Gerrard’s pass.

The results:

Arsenal 2 (William Gallas 83, Tomas Rosicky 85) bt Wigan Athletic 0; Birmingham City 0 lost to Portsmouth 2 (Sulley Muntari 34, Niko Kranjcar 82); Bolton Wanderers 1 (Nicolas Anelka 11) bt Manchester United 0; Everton 7 (Yakubu Aiyegbeni 12, 73, Tim Cahill 17, 62, Steven Pienaar 43, Andy Johnson 80, Leon Osman 85) bt Sunderland 1 (Dwight Yorke 45+2); Middlesbrough 0 lost to Aston Villa 3 (John Carew 45+2, Olof Mellberg 48, Gabriel Agbonlahor 58); Newcastle United 0 lost to Liverpool 3 (Steven Gerrard 28, Dirk Kuyt 46, Ryan Babel 66). — Agencies

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