Trail runs cold for United and Arsenal

The Premier League fixtures involving Arsenal FC and Manchester United FC were the only ones to beat the wintry weather affecting much of England at the weekend, yet both sides failed to take the opportunity to turn up the heat on leaders Chelsea FC.

Equalising goals
United could have leapfrogged the Blues with victory at in-form Birmingham City FC but, in the end, required Scott Dann's 63rd-minute own goal to earn a 1-1 draw and move within a point of the summit, having contested one game more. Arsenal, two points and one spot below United in third, also required an equaliser to rescue a stalemate, Tomáš Rosický's deflected shot in added time salvaging the UEFA Champions League contenders a 2-2 home draw with Everton.

Game 'dominated'
Having failed to displace Chelsea, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson viewed his team's result as an opportunity missed. "It's not really a point gained, but we can't argue with the result," said Sir Alex, whose side saw out the closing stages with reduced numbers after Darren Fletcher was sent off. "We were down to ten men for the last part of the game but in the first half we played absolutely brilliantly and dominated the match."

History created
Alex McLeish was far happier, meanwhile, having guided his Birmingham team to their 12th league outing without defeat – a club record in the top flight. "I can't fault anybody," said McLeish, whose eighth-placed troops took a first-half lead through Cameron Jerome. "Everybody deserves fantastic applause."

'Off the pace'
In north London, Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger was relieved not to have lost to Everton after his charges twice fell behind, the second time with nine minutes remaining when Steven Pienaar broke away. "It is two points dropped in the title race, but in this game it was one point gained," said Wenger. "Everton played very well, while we were off the pace. Our passing was too slow and not incisive enough."

Moyes downbeat
Wenger's opposite number, David Moyes, gave a debut to Landon Donovan and watched as the United States forward delivered the corner for Leon Osman's headed opener, which Denilson cancelled out close to the half-hour. "After the first game of the season, when they beat us 6-1, we wanted to show that wasn't really us and I thought we were a lot more like ourselves," said Moyes. Manchester City FC, weather permitting, host Blackburn Rovers FC on Monday.