United win, Chelsea draw

Arsenal’s Premier League title bid was given a significant boost without Arsene Wenger’s men kicking a ball on Saturday as second-placed Chelsea were held to a 0-0 home draw by mid-table Middlesbrough. Chelsea, seven points behind Arsenal after the Londoners’ 4-2 win over Liverpool on Friday, could only close that gap by one point after well-organised Middlesbrough comfortably contained them in a disappointing game.

Manchester United, in third, looked in even more trouble at Birmingham City after going behind to a first-half goal when keeper Roy Carroll fumbled Martin Grainger’s free kick into the net.

But United levelled on the hour when Birmingham’s offside claims against Louis Saha were brushed aside by referee Dermot Gallagher before substitute Cristiano Ronaldo headed perfectly inside the post.

They then clinched all three points with another header from Saha after 78 minutes to move 12 points behind Arsenal.