London: Owen Hargreaves was Manchester United's unlikely goalscoring hero as the Premier League leaders came from behind to see-off title challengers Arsenal 2-1 at Old Trafford.

Emmanuel Adebayor had put Arsenal in front in the 48th minute only for Cristiano Ronaldo to equalise minutes later with his 38th goal of a remarkable season for United.

And the comeback was completed when Hargreaves settled the match with a superb free-kick 18 minutes from time.

This result effectively ended Arsenal's challenge as it left them nine points adrift of United with just four games of the league season left.

And it also meant the Gunners run without a trophy was set to be extended to three seasons after they lost in the Champions League quarter-finals to English rivals Liverpool earlier in the week.

With this victory reigning champions United are six points clear at the top of the table although second-placed Chelsea will cut that lead to just three points if they beat Wigan Athletic at Stamford Bridge today.

England midfielder Hargreaves, best known for his defensive skills, made it 100 goals for United in just 50 games in this campaign when his curled free-kick from the edge of the box over the wall left goalkeeper Jens Lehmann standing.

Earlier yesterday, Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard scored and then turned provider for Fernando Torres in a 3-1 win over Blackburn Rovers at Anfield.

The Red's two leading marksmen this season Spain striker Torres (30 goals) and midfielder Gerrard (21 goals) were both on target as Liverpool strengthened their hold on fourth place. Substitute Andriy Voronin added a third in the 90th minute.

This win left Liverpool five points clear of city rivals Everton in the race for the final Champions League qualifying spot on offer to English clubs.

Yesterday's match, played out against a backdrop of ongoing boardroom rows at Anfield, was deadlocked until the hour mark when England midfielder Gerrard beat several players on the edge of the box before scoring in his 300th league game for the Reds.

Torres then became the first Liverpool player to score in seven consecutive top-flight games at Anfield when he headed in Gerrard's cross eight minutes from time.

Voronin got on the end of a John Arne Riise cross to make it 3-0 before Roque Santa Cruz pulled a goal back for Rovers in stoppage time.

Source : PTI