England round-up: Four-goal thriller leaves title in balance

The destination of the Premiership title remains in doubt after a rollercoaster game at Highbury tonight between champions Arsenal FC and leaders Manchester United FC ended 2-2.

Campbell sent off
Both sides led at various times on an evening of sustained drama which also saw Arsenal defender Sol Campbell sent off for elbowing Ole Gunnar Solksjær - a decision which could rule the England international out of the FA Cup final against Southampton FC on 17 May, as well as the climax to the league season.

Seaman blow
Arsenal suffered a blow before a ball had been kicked after goalkeeper David Seaman, who made his 1,000th senior appearance last weekend, went down with flu and was replaced by Stuart Taylor.

Vieira overcomes injury
As expected, Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira overcame an injury worry to lead the side, albeit with his injured right leg heavily strapped. Meanwhile Robert Pires, Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Gilberto Silva all returned to an Arsenal side that showed five changes from Sunday's FA Cup semi-final win against Sheffield United FC.

Beckham on bench
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson decided to stick with the side that thrashed Newcastle United FC 6-2 at the weekend - which meant that England captain David Beckham was left on the bench, with Solksjær playing wide on the right. United skipper Roy Keane passed a late fitness test to ensure his place in the starting lineup.

Scholes chance
The early stages of the game were keenly contested, particularly in midfield, and the first chance did not arrive until the ninth minute when United's Paul Scholes rose above a static Arsenal defence only to send his header well wide of Taylor's right-hand post. Arsenal responded with a dangerous-looking charge from Henry, but Keane did well to intercept his cross just as the United defence looked like subsiding.

Potent United
United looked the more potent side though and nearly took the lead after 21 minutes but Ruud van Nistelrooij's clipped shot from a Scholes flick landed on the roof of the net. Three minutes later the Dutch international made no mistake though.

Van Nistelrooij goal
After collecting a pass from Ryan Giggs, Van Nistelrooij accelerated down the left flank away from Campbell and then Martin Keown before deftly lifting the ball over the onrushing Taylor to give the visitors the lead and register his 19th league goal of the season. Arsenal suffered a further blow before the interval when a recurrence of Vieira's injury problems forced him out of the game.

Frenetic affair
The second half was a frenetic affair. Arsenal drew level in the 51st minute when Henry, somewhat fortunately, deflected Ashley Cole's scuffed shot through the legs of United goalkeeper Fabien Barthez.

Henry on hand
Eleven minutes later Arsenal moved 2-1 ahead when Gilberto's pass released Henry and the prolific Frenchman finished calmly to register his 21st league goal of the season. However within 60 seconds United were back on level terms after Solksjær's cross was headed past Taylor by Giggs.

United three points clear
Campbell received his marching orders in the 82nd minute, somewhat souring the last few minutes of an entertaining game which leaves United three points clear at the top, although Arsenal still have one game in hand. 

Arsenal FC's remaining league fixtures:

Manchester United FC's remaining league fixtures: