Gunners fire another blank

Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan scored his first league goal for Manchester United, a late equaliser in a 1-1 home draw with struggling Aston Villa, but United are now eight points behind the leaders.

Liverpool have 27 points to the 23 of Arsenal. Chelsea moved up to third on 19 after a comfortable 2-0 home win over West Bromwich Albion. Manchester United and Tottenham are also on 19. Middlesbrough, who drew 2-2 with Leeds United, have 18, along with Blackburn.

After sweeping all before them in the previous seven months, Arsenal have had a week to forget. A 2-1 defeat at Everton last Saturday was followed by a 2-1 home loss to Auxerre in the Champions League and now another surprise result against Blackburn.

Things started badly when Brazilian midfielder Edu, playing in place of the suspended Patrick Vieira, put Blackburn ahead with an own goal after just six minutes, looping the ball over the stranded David Seaman.

Fullback Ashley Cole came close to equalising in the 15th minute but his goal-bound shot hit the prostrate body of Blackburn defender Henning Berg, one of a series of near-misses that were to give the home fans a frustrating afternoon.

Edu scored a fortunate equaliser when his free kick evaded everyone and flew in just before the break, but Blackburn quickly restored their lead six minutes into the second half when striker Dwight Yorke cleverly finished a quick counter-attack.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger threw on midfielder Robert Pires and striker Dennis Bergkamp midway through the second half and both went close to equalising.

Man-of-the-match Brad Friedel then made yet another great save to tip over a goalbound Thierry Henry free kick and Blackburn held out, despite having Garry Flitcroft sent off 12 minutes from time.

Manchester United limped to a second successive disappointing 1-1 draw, this time at home. Swedish international defender Olof Mellberg headed Villa’sfirst away goal of the season after 35 minutes to put the Midlanders ahead. (Reuters)