Advantage Arsenal despite draw

Arsenal FC failed to win for the fourth successive Premiership match this afternoon yet hung on to England's fourth and final UEFA Champions League qualifying slot as their closest rivals, Bolton Wanderers and Everton FC, also drew.

Given injury
The Gunners were determined to return to winning ways having tasted defeat in their last three Premiership outings - against Everton, Liverpool FC and West Ham United FC - but were unable to break down Newcastle United FC at St James' Park, despite the home side losing goalkeeper Shay Given to injury in the 25th minute. Arsenal have 56 points, two more than Bolton and five ahead of Everton, with a game in hand, after the north-west clubs shared two goals at the Reebok Stadium.

Mixed day
Bolton took the lead through Kevin Davies in the 17th minute, only for James Vaughan to earn the visitors a point with his third Premiership goal of the season 15 minutes later. The 18-year-old's day was to end on a sour note, though, as he was carried off with an ankle injury on the hour. Elsewhere, Manchester City FC's revival continued with a 3-1 success at Fulham FC, which left the Londoners - on 35 points - looking over their shoulders. Wigan Athletic FC, one place below in 16th, survived the 33rd-minute dismissal of Antonio Valencia to leave Aston Villa FC with a 1-1 draw and move on to 34 points. Bottom team Watford FC, meanwhile, warmed up for Saturday's FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United FC with a 4-2 home victory against Portsmouth FC, while Charlton Athletic FC moved on to 32 points - just outside the drop zone - after a 0-0 draw against ninth-placed Reading FC.