Advantage Arsenal

MANCHESTER UNITED missed a golden opportunity to close the gap on Arsenal at the top of the Premiership yesterday, conceding a late goal to draw 1-1 against Manchester City while the Gunners were also held 1-1 by Newcastle.

In a day of high drama, United took an early lead against their local rivals through Ruud van Nistelrooy, and looked to be cruising to an easy win which would have brought them level with Arsenal on points.

But they missed a host of chances, living to regret their mistakes when Shaun Goater nodded home an 86th minute equaliser nine seconds after he took the pitch as a substitute.