Ferguson’s team are one point ahead of second-placed Chelsea and two in front of third-placed Arsenal.

However, many pundits believe Arsenal’s remaining fixtures, which include matches against Manchester City and Tottenham but also less taxing games against Wolves, Wigan, Blackburn and Fulham, could make the difference for the Gunners.
Ferguson, whose team have won their last six matches, still feels that Chelsea, visitors to Old Trafford in April, are as much of a threat to United’s hopes of a fourth straight title as Arsene Wenger’s side.

He said: “On paper Arsenal have the easy run in but at this stage of the season I’m not sure whether that works, whether it means anything at all.

“You can drop a couple of points like Chelsea did at Blackburn last Sunday, your advantage on paper all of a sudden doesn’t look so good.

“The name of the game is to win your games and hopefully we can do that. That’s our best way of looking forward.

“I don’t think there is a bigger challenger (from one team) than another, we’re all in the same pot together.

“We’ll rely on our experience, which is vital, and hopefully we can keep a relatively clean bill of health between now and the end of the season.”

United will have just six games to go after they face struggling Bolton in Saturday’s late game at the Reebok Stadium.

Ferguson’s side could be down to third in the table by the time they kick off as Chelsea host Aston Villa and Arsenal travel to Birmingham earlier on Saturday.

However, Ferguson has dismissed concerns about Wayne Rooney’s knee and has revealed John O’Shea has returned to full training for the first time since November.

O’Shea has not played since the Republic of Ireland’s 1-1 draw in France, after the defender suffered complications as he recovered from a dead leg.

The versatile defender returned to full training on Thursday, while Ferguson laughed off doubts about Rooney’s fitness after the England striker was pictured limping after the 2-1 win over Liverpool last week.

Paul Scholes is available after an ankle injury and Ferguson is considering starting with Ryan Giggs, who came off the bench against Liverpool after several weeks out with a fractured arm.

Ferguson added: “Scholes is okay again. The little problem he’s had with his ankle has settled down now and he’s available.

“Ryan is a further week ahead. He was a substitute last week, but whether I start him at Bolton is another matter.

“His experience and Scholes’ experience at this time of year is going to be invaluable to us as it always is.

“John O’Shea took part in a training session for the first time and we expect him back at the start of April.

“These are plus points for us at the moment because all season we’ve had to deal with defenders being injured all the time and that’s not easy.”

Giggs (36) has been quoted as saying he may consider returning to international football with Wales, three years after his last appearance for his country.

Ferguson does not expect to see his veteran midfielder lining up for John Toshack’s side.

He added: “You must be joking. I can’t see it. It must have been a weak moment for Ryan! I can’t see that.”

Bolton have pulled clear of relegation trouble after appointing Owen Coyle last month.

Ferguson added: “Now Owen’s gone to Bolton, there’s not much material difference in the way that Bolton play.

“They’ve still got the two big lads up front, Johan Elmander and Kevin Davies, they still have long throw-ins, free kicks and corner kicks and we’re used to that.”

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United produced a superb attacking display, taking the lead when Nani’s cross was turned into his own net by goalkeeper Manuel Almunia after 33 minutes before Wayne Rooney started and finished a stunning counter-attack before halftime.
Park Ji-sung got the third seven minutes after the interval and Arsenal had only the minor consolation of Thomas Vermaelen’s deflected volley 10 minutes from time.

“We delivered a completely off-the-mark performance and that’s why we were well beaten,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said.

“We gave them too much room, we were naive and that’s why we have to stick together and produce a much better performance next Sunday when we go to Chelsea.”

Chelsea, who won 2-1 with a late goal at Burnley on Saturday, top the standings on 54 points, one ahead of United and five clear of Arsenal. Chelsea have a game in hand on both rivals and play it against Hull City in midweek.

Arsenal went into the United match full of confidence after a 10-game unbeaten run and both sides showed total commitment to attack.

Arsenal’s Andrei Arshavin escaped three times down the left but finished poorly on each occasion while Nani looked highly dangerous down the United right.

It was the Portuguese winger who made the breakthrough with a brilliant piece of trickery to get past three Arsenal defenders and when he hoisted over a deep cross, Almunia, trying to turn it over the bar, only flapped it into the net.

SNUFFED OUT

The second goal was a classic as United snuffed out an Arsenal attack in their own penalty box and broke.

Rooney turned the ball into the path of Nani before sprinting 70 metres to collect the return and sweep it in first time.

It was the 100th Premier League goal of the 24-year-old England striker’s career and came just over seven years after he opened his account for Everton against Arsenal when he was 16.

United’s third was another long-range break and hesitant defending allowed Park to travel from halfway before calmly slotting his first goal of the season.

Vermaelen’s goal led to a brief flurry but United held out quite comfortably and Arsene Wenger’s side must bounce back immediately at Chelsea.

“We need to deliver a special performance at Stamford Bridge next Sunday before we can even start thinking about winning the game,” Wenger said.

United manager Alex Ferguson said he would be hoping Arsenal found their form against Chelsea.

“Arsenal are not out of it, I hope that Arsenal go to Stamford Bridge and batter them,” he told Sky Sports.
Ferguson had special praise for the “unbelievable Rooney.”

“He was the key player for us and they could just could not handle him. He was a really great player today,” he said.

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Two goals from Didier Drogba and a Thomas Vermaelen own goal made the difference as Arsenal, who had won their previous 11 home games in all competitions, struggled to make an impression on a Chelsea defence that has conceded just eight goals in 14 league games.

The match encapsulated the key differences between the two London sides as Chelsea’s powerful lineup outmuscled Arsenal’s lightweights and, when in sight of goal, went for the jugular.

In contrast, Arsenal were content to play endless passes around the box in attacks that all too often petered out thanks to over-elaboration.

Chelsea top the standings on 36 points, five clear of United, who won 4-1 at Portsmouth on Saturday with a Wayne Rooney hat-trick. Tottenham Hotspur are third on 26 with Arsenal, who last won the title in 2004, fourth on 25.

Liverpool, who won 2-0 at Everton earlier on Sunday, are fifth on 23.

There was barely an effort on goal in the opening 40 minutes at the Emirates but the game exploded into life with two near-identical goals in the last four minutes of the half.

The first came when John Terry slipped a nice pass into the stride of Ashley Cole and when he whipped in a low cross Drogba somehow found space on edge of the six-yard box and steered an excellent side-footed volley into the roof of the net.

Former Arsenal man Cole, relentlessly booed by the home fans, repeated the delivery three minutes later and in an attempt to prevent the ball reaching Drogba, Vermaelen deflected it into his own net in the same spot as the first goal.

Arsenal did have the ball in the net four minutes after the restart but Andrei Arshavin’s goal was ruled out for a challenge on Petr Cech by Eduardo and for all their neat passing and midfield probing they struggled to fashion much in the way of clear chances.

Instead, Manuel Almunia had to make a good diving save to keep out a deflected Drogba shot and when Arsenal eventually ran out of steam Drogba completed an impressive victory by planting a free kick beyond the diving keeper four minutes from time.

In the day’s other big derby Liverpool ended a bleak week on a high note with a morale-lifting victory.

Liverpool, whose hopes of reaching the knockout phase of the Champions League disappeared in midweek, took a fortunate early lead when Javier Mascherano’s speculative shot was deflected past Tim Howard by Everton defender Joseph Yobo.

Hard-working Everton had two goals ruled out for offside and were then denied by a great double-save by Pepe Reina before Dirk Kuyt finished it 10 minutes from time, seizing on Howard’s parry of an Alberto Riera shot after another Yobo blunder.

“A derby is always very difficult and also very important so a win today could set us up for the rest of the season,” said Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez.

The game ended 0-0.

“I have had a scan. I am probably out for between four and six weeks,” Van Persie told Dutch television program Studio Voetbal on Sunday night.

But the in-form 26-year-old absolved Juventus defender Chiellini of blame, saying: “There was no intent.”

Van Persie’s absence could seriously undermine Arsenal’s bid to catch Chelsea at the top of the Premier League.

In 11 league games this season, Van Persie has scored seven goals and contributed to seven more in Arsenal’s impressive surge up the standings. Although the Gunners are five points behind Chelsea in second place, they have a game in hand and host the Blues on November 29.

Van Persie’s absence is a major blow for the club, especially with striker Nicklas Bendtner sidelined until mid-December after minor groin surgery and Theo Walcott hampered by a knee ligament problem.

The Gunners’ 4-1 win at Molineux lifted them above Manchester United on goal difference ahead of the champions’ meeting with leaders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Arsenal had ended their contest with Wolves by half-time as own goals from Ronald Zubar and Jody Craddock were followed by Cesc Fabregas finishing off a trademark passing move on the stroke of the interval.

Andrey Arshavin made it 4-0 after the interval before Craddock claimed a late consolation side for Wolves, who slipped into the relegation zone.

Arsenal have now scored 36 goals in 11 league matches this season –eight more than Chelsea — and manager Arsene Wenger believes his squad is starting to look like a title-winning outfit.

“I don’t know what other people think — the most important is what we believe and our belief if there,” the Frenchman said. “I know we have great potential and we go from strength to strength.”

Manchester City surrendered their coveted spot in the top four to Tottenham after being held to a 3-3 draw at home to Burnley.

It was a fifth consecutive draw for City, who slip back to fifth after a run that has cast doubt on their ability to break into English football’s Champions League elite.

“I said before the season that there will be times when we look like what we are, a team coming together and trying to gel,” said City’s manager, Mark Hughes.

“And on other occasions it will happen for us and we will look an outstanding team but I am frustrated, and disappointed as well.”

Robbie Keane and Tom Huddlestone were on the mark for Tottenham as Harry Redknapp’s side moved up to fourth with a 2-0 win over Sunderland at White Hart Lane.

Elsewhere, Aston Villa overran struggling Bolton in a 5-1 rout at Villa Park while Blackburn lifted themselves out of the relegation zone with a 3-1 win over bottom side Portsmouth.

Burnley’s draw at Manchester City was their first point on the road since their return to the top flight.

An even better outcome had looked on the cards when a Graham Alexander penalty and a Steven Fletcher strike gave the visitors a 2-0 lead.

But Shaun Wright-Phillips reduced the deficit two minutes before the break and second half strikes from Kolo Toure – his first league goal for City – and Craig Bellamy had City on track to claim the points before Kevin McDonald snatched an 87th-minute equaliser for the visitors.

Sunderland striker Darren Bent’s return to Tottenham proved to be an unhappy one with the England striker having a second-half penalty saved by Heurelho Gomes.

That would have cancelled out Keane’s 12th-minute strike for Spurs and been just reward for Sunderland’s long periods of domination.

Instead Tottenham finished comfortable winners after Huddlestone smashed a 68th-minute shot in off the bar.

Redknapp admitted his side had been lucky, but insisted there was no reason they could not stay in the top four.

“We were very fortunate, the keeper’s had a fantastic day but that’s how it goes,” he said.

“We got three points, you can play well and get nothing. We’ve got Aaron Lennon and Luka Modric to come back and when they come back we’ll play differently again.”

England duo Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor put Villa in control against Bolton.

Johan Elmander gave the visitors hope on the stroke of half-time but Villa were too slick after the break with John Carew, James Milner and Carlos Cuellar all finding the net in the final 20 minutes.

On-loan Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara gave Portsmouth a 15th-minute lead against Blackburn, raising the prospect of a win that would have lifted Pompey out of the drop zone themselves.

Instead it was Blackburn who took the points with Jason Roberts scoring twice either side of a strike from New Zealander Ryan Nelsen.

The £25-million striker headed the crucial third goal for City ten minutes from time and then sprinted the entire length of the field to celebrate provocatively in front of the Arsenal supporters.

Not surpisingly, that sparked a furious reaction and a chair was among the many items hurled onto the pitch by the furious visiting fans. Adebayor was booked for his celebration and further action could be taken following the flashpoint.

The former Gunner — who was often a target for Arsenal fans because of his supposed lack of effort — had also been involved in an earlier altercation with Robin van Persie in which he appeared to catch his former team mate in the face with his boot.

However, it was the goal controversy which proved the most memorable development during an incredible second half.

City had led from a lucky first half own-goal from Gunners keeper Manuel Almunia but Arsenal drew level just after the hour when Tomas Rosicky, playing for the first time in over 18 months, slipped the ball to van Persie who hit a magnificent equaliser from the edge of the area.

City were under intense pressure and Shay Given had to make excellent saves to keep out a William Gallas header and a Thomas Vermaelen long range strike which would have been just reward for Arsenal’s domination in the opening part of the second half.

But in the 74th minute, Craig Bellamy swept in a superb shot from 15 yards after a neat build-up which saw Shaun Wright-Phillips send Micah Richards on his way into the Arsenal penalty area for the telling assist.

Adebayor’s goal followed soon after but there was much more drama remaining in an astonishing encounter. In the 83rd minute, Wright-Phillips neatly finished by lobbing the keeper after he was played in on the break by Bellamy.

And with three minutes left, Rosicky capped a decent afternoon for himself — if not for Arsenal — by beating Given one-on-one for a late consolation.

There was even time for van Persie to hit the post after that and Arsenal squandered at least two more good opportunities, Nicklas Bendtner notably seeing another effort well saved by Given.

There had been no inkling of such drama in the opening stages in which City struggled to cope with Arsenal’s passing and looked in danger of being swept away. However, against the run of play, they took a 20th minute lead from a Gareth Barry free-kick.

Richards rose magnificently above his markers and sent a looping header towards the top left corner.

Almunia backpedalled and managed to get a hand to the ball but could only help it onto the post and, with the cruellest bounce imaginable, the rebound struck the keeper on the back of the head and landed in the corner of his net.

Without Robinho and Carlos Tevez on display, City were lacking some of the quality that had been on display in their opening matches.

Bellamy tried gamely and his volley, from a half-cleared Barry free-kick, was deflected wide just after the half hour and, before the break, a run by Wright-Phillips took him to the by-line where his near post blast was easily kept out by Almunia.

It might have been different if William Gallas had not wasted Arsenal’s first, and best, opening in the 13th minute when he met van Persie’s corner but cleared the bar with a free header from six yards.

Although they had plenty of the ball after City’s opener, Arsenal’s end product was just as disappointing although the signs of their second half recovery were evident when Vermaelen’s header, from a Cesc Fabregas free-kick, sailed just over after the restart.

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Wenger was infuriated by the way United set out to disrupt Arsenal’s smooth passing game by flying into tackles with aggressive intent.

Although Arsenal collected six bookings and United were only shown three yellow cards, Wenger hinted that the champions’ approach was a stark contrast to his own purist principles.

The French coach seemed to be particularly angered by United midfielder Darren Fletcher’s challenges, but stopped short of accusing the Scot by name.

“I have seen a player who plays on the pitch only to make fouls,” he said. “For me, this is a point that is more urgent than diving.

“The players who are never punished, who get out of the game without a yellow card. I think it is more anti-football than a player who did what Eduardo did.

“Look at how many deliberate fouls some players get away with.

That’s a bigger problem because it cuts the flow of the game. And people pay to see football, not free-kicks.”

Asked if he was referring to Fletcher, Wenger just laughed and said: “Why do you say the name?”

Fletcher insisted he had done nothing wrong and was just playing his normal game.

“I enjoyed the challenge of going up against Arsenal in a big game,” he told the Sun on Monday.

“I did what I normally do – made some tackles, got about the opposition, no different to any other game.”

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Arsene Wenger’s side were well on top after taking the lead through Andrey Arshavin’s superb strike late in the first half.

But the Premier League champions were handed a lifeline soon after half-time when Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia needlessly conceded a penalty that Wayne Rooney converted.

It got worse for Arsenal as French midfielder Abou Diaby headed a Ryan Giggs free-kick into his own net five minutes later to give United their third win in four games.

Arsenal’s visit to Old Trafford was seen as the acid test of Wenger’s young team and it started perfectly when Arshavin hit a swerving long-range shot that United goalkeeper Ben Foster could only push into the net.

But Almunia had a rush of blood in the 59th minute when he charged out and tripped Rooney.

United striker Rooney picked himself up to send Almunia the wrong way from the spot and Sir Alex Ferguson’s team won it five minutes later when Diaby diverted Giggs’s harmless free-kick past Almunia.

Robin van Persie thought he had equalised in the last minute of stoppage time but the Arsenal striker’s effort was ruled out for offside, leading Wenger to be sent to the stands as he complained furiously.

Elsewhere, leaders Chelsea maintained their blistering form with a 3-0 victory over Burnley, while Liverpool came from behind to beat 10-man Bolton 3-2.

Nicolas Anelka broke Burnley’s stubborn resistance at Stamford Bridge when he slid in to convert Didier Drogba’s cross just before half-time.

Promoted Burnley, who had claimed famous victories over Manchester United and Everton in their previous two matches, were then swept aside.

Michael Ballack added Chelsea’s second goal soon after the break when he headed in Frank Lampard’s cross and Ashley Cole smashed in the third five minutes later to give Carlo Ancelotti’s team a fourth successive victory under their new Italian manager.

At Bolton, Rafael Benitez’s Liverpool showed they have the stomach to fight for the title.

The Reds had made a spluttering start to the campaign, with defeats against Tottenham and Aston Villa raising questions about their ability to win the league for the first time since 1990.

They fell behind to Bolton in the 33rd minute when Kevin Davies punished poor marking to drive home from close-range.

Glen Johnson equalised with a powerful strike from the edge of the penalty area in the 41st minute.

Tamir Cohen restored Bolton’s lead two minutes into the second half. But Bolton’s Sean Davis was harshly shown a second yellow card for a foul on Lucas in the 55th minute.

The visitors took full advantage as Dirk Kuyt found Fernando Torres and the Spain striker finished smartly.

Steven Gerrard, criticised in the week by Benitez for his poor form, hit the winner with a perfectly-struck shot in the 83rd minute.

“It was the perfect response from the players,” Benitez said.

“You could see all the players, from the first minute, played with a lot of determination to win. It’s important to have this mentality.”

Tottenham, in second place on goal difference, kept pace with Chelsea as Aaron Lennon’s last-gasp goal sealed a 2-1 victory over Birmingham at White Hart Lane.

Harry Redknapp’s team have made their best start to a season for 49 years and they chalked up win number four in dramatic fashion.

Peter Crouch put Tottenham in front after 72 minutes when the England international headed in Tom Huddlestone’s free-kick.

Lee Bowyer levelled for Birmingham just three minutes later when Alan Hutton and keeper Carlo Cudicini made a hash of clearing.

But Tottenham won it five minutes into stoppage time through England winger Lennon.

Dave Kitson’s first league goal for Stoke clinched a 1-0 victory over Sunderland at the Britannia Stadium.

Kitson, who cost 5.5 million pounds from Reading last year, lashed in Danny Higginbotham’s knock-down in the 43rd minute.

Wolverhampton are still waiting for their first home win of the season as Hull ground out a 1-1 draw at Molineux.

Brazilian midfielder Geovanni gave Hull the lead in the third minute, but Richard Stearman equalised in the 46th minute.

Blackburn and West Ham played out a dour goalless draw at Ewood Park.

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Just 24 hours after Wenger raged at Uefa for starting disciplinary action against Gunners striker Eduardo for his dive against Celtic, the French coach was infuriated by Dean’s decision to award United a penalty that Wayne Rooney converted to cancel out Andrey Arshavin’s opener.

Dean gave United a spot-kick when Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia’s rushed out to challenge Rooney and had earlier ruled that Darren Fletcher’s rash lunge on Arshavin was not penalty.

Wenger then had to suffer the added agony of seeing Robin van Persie’s stoppage time strike ruled out as William Gallas was offside.

The Arsenal boss reacted by kicking a water bottle on the touchline and was sent to the stands.

Asked if he thought Dean got the penalty decisions right, Wenger told Sky Sports: “You should ask the referee. You know what you get at Old Trafford but I don’t want to go into the performance of the referee.

“I don’t know if we should have had a penalty but I don’t know if they should either.

“I kicked a bottle when the goal was cancelled for offside. I didn’t know you can’t do that.”

Wenger was encouraged by Arsenal’s display despite his side’s first defeat of the season.

“There are a lot of positives in the way we played and the spirit we showed, but we go home without any points and that is very frustrating when you lose a game like that, especially when you look at the chances,” Wenger added.

“But I’m very positive because we showed great quality and the performance is encouraging for the future.”

While Wenger fumed, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was delighted with the way his side battled back to win their first clash with a big-four rival this season.

“When you are 1-0 down to a team of Arsenal’s class it’s an uphill task,” Ferguson said. “We had to dig deep and we got break with the own goal but it was a clear penalty and we really performed well in the second half.

“The players know winning big games is important. Last season we lost four points to Arsenal and six to Liverpool. Now we’ve got off to a better start against the bigger teams. That can make a difference.

“Darren Fletcher was the outstanding player. He gave a marvellous performance. He’s a big game player and always does well on these occasions.”

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And a game of high drama ended on a note of even greater controversy with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger dismissed for his protestations that Robin van Persie’s 95th-minute effort had been ruled out because of an offside decision against Williams Gallas.

Wenger had earlier seen his goalkeeper Manuel Almunia controversially adjudged to have brought down Rooney in the 57th minute, a decision that did not please the visitors, especially when the England forward dusted himself down and scored the resulting kick.

The visitors had had their own decent first half appeal turned down and their mood worsened in the 63rd minute when United took the lead through Diaby’s own goal.

Ryan Giggs’ right-wing free-kick was aimed at Rooney but Diaby bizarrely leapt to head past Almunia from six yards out.

Wenger’s team had been full value for the lead until that point after Andrey Arshavin struck in the 40th minute with a quite exceptional finish, moments after he had been denied what looked a clear penalty by referee Mike Dean following a challenge from Darren Fletcher.

Perhaps the midweek incident involving Arsenal striker Eduardo, guilty of a blatant dive which won a penalty decision in the Champions League game against Celtic, was weighing upon the subconscious of the official.

For there was no other explanation why Fletcher’s crude sliding foul on Arshavin should have gone unpunished, not that the Russian forward spent too long mulling over the injustice of the decision.

Within seconds, Denilson played a neat, short pass that Arshavin collected midway in the United half and, with the defence inexplicably backing away, the Arsenal man was allowed to advance to the edge of the home area before unleashing a fantastically judged shot into the left-hand side of the goal.

It was an effort that was just reward for a period of superior Arsenal possession and play following a cautious opening from both teams.

Fletcher should have done better after 10 minutes when an intelligent pass from Rooney put him clear unmarked on the penalty spot only for the midfield man to hurry his attempt over the bar.

Arsenal should have scored the opening goal when skipper van Persie missed a golden chance in the 24th minute, taking Emmanuel Eboue’s pass in his stride but delaying and allowing Patrice Evra to block his eventual shot.

The resulting Van Persie corner then forced Ben Foster into a poor, palmed clearance with Arshavin driving the rebound wide.

But Arshavin fired Arsenal into the lead with a fine strike that Foster should have done better with.

Arsenal could have increased their lead early in the second half when an electrifying run by Arshavin to the United by-line saw him drag the ball back accurately for van Persie whose deft shot was only kept out by the reflexes, and boot, of Foster.

It was against the run of play, therefore, that United claimed their 59th-minute penalty equaliser through Rooney, although Arsenal almost equalised five minutes later when van Persie drove a brilliant free-kick against the home team’s crossbar.

Diaby almost made amends for his own goal within a minute, appearing 12 yards from the Arsenal goal but rolling his shot just wide, their last clear-cut chance of securing at least a point and maintaining their unbeaten start to the season.

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