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Arsenal wins 1-0 to dent Man United's title hopes

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-05-02 09:44

Aaron Ramsey (16) of Arsenal scores his team's first goal against Manchester United during their English Premier League soccer match at the Emirates stadium in north London, May 1, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

LONDON - Arsenal threw open the English title race Sunday with a 1-0 win over Manchester United that left the Premier League leader vulnerable to a late charge by defending champion Chelsea.

Aaron Ramsey scored in the 56th minute at Emirates Stadium to cap a dominant display by Arsenal and cut United's lead over the Blues to three points with three games remaining.

With third-place Arsenal still six points off the lead, the Gunners' victory may have come too late to re-ignite its title hopes.

But after beating Tottenham 2-1 on Saturday, Chelsea's goal difference is now identical to United's, giving the defending champion the chance to go top if it beats United at Old Trafford next Sunday.

"It gives Chelsea a major chance now," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "But in terms of ability - a game at Old Trafford - the supporters will be ready for it and so will our players."

Also Sunday, Liverpool moved ahead of Spurs on goal difference into fifth place with an untroubled 3-0 win over Newcastle.

Although Spurs have played one game fewer, their chances of reaching the top four to make the Champions League for a second straight season appear to be over.

Manchester City, in the fourth and final Champions League berth, beat last-place West Ham 2-1 to move seven points ahead of Liverpool and Spurs.

Nigel de Jong and Pablo Zabaleta scored in the first half for City, but Liverpool still has a good chance to finish in fifth place - two spots higher than last season.

"We'll just keep going and see what we get," Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish said. "It's great reward that we've got to where we are."