Soccer: Rooney double keeps United in hunt, Arsenal held

LONDON - England's Wayne Rooney struck twice to give Manchester United a 2-1 win over Portsmouth on Saturday, cutting the gap on Premier League leaders Chelsea to six points.

Earlier, Arsenal's hopes of retaining their title faded further when they were held to a 1-1 draw at Southampton, leaving the champions 10 points behind Chelsea, who play Liverpool in the League Cup final on Sunday.

United were also in danger of being held to a draw at Old Trafford when Portsmouth equalized just after the interval but Rooney provided a neat finish nine minutes from time to earn his side victory.

"It was a tough game and we knew it would be a very difficult game," Rooney told Sky Sports. "When they scored they put men behind the ball and we made it very difficult for ourselves.

"We knew we had to win today to get to six points behind Chelsea and all we can do is keep winning our games."

In the day's other matches, Everton moved eight points clear in fourth place with a 3-1 win at Aston Villa, Crystal Palace eased their relegation worries with a 2-0 home win over Birmingham City and Tottenham Hotspur beat London rivals Fulham 2-0.

Manchester United started well against Portsmouth as Rooney opened the scoring after eight minutes with a precise close-range finish from Gary Neville's cross.

Portsmouth, who inflicted one of United's two league defeats this season, responded well, however, pressing the hosts and creating chances.

The visitors equalized two minutes after halftime when midfielder Gary O'Neil scored with a 20-meter shot into the top corner of the net.

DOMINATED POSSESSION

United, with striker Ruud van Nistelrooy back in the starting line-up, dominated possession but failed to create many chances against the massed Portsmouth defence.

With just minutes left, however, Van Nistelrooy found Rooney with a pin-point pass and the England striker surged into the area before clipping the ball past goalkeeper Kostas Chalkias.

"Time was running out for us but our determination and perseverance got us over the line," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "I've seen it so many times from this team."

United's title ambitions remained alive but Arsenal's surely ended as both sides at St Mary's finished with 10 men and Southampton came from behind to snatch a point.

The Gunners looked set for victory after Saints midfielder David Prutton was sent off and Freddie Ljungberg put the visitors ahead in first-half stoppage time.

Arsenal forward Robin van Persie was then needlessly dismissed after receiving his second yellow card on 50 minutes to hand Southampton a lifeline.

The hosts equalized on 67 minutes when lanky striker Peter Crouch headed in after Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann had flapped at a corner.

FRUSTRATED AGAIN

Arsenal full back Ashley Cole had a stoppage-time headed goal disallowed for offside, leaving his manager Arsene Wenger frustrated again after the midweek Champions League defeat at Bayern Munich.

"It was very positive for us today, even though we didn't get the result we wanted," Wenger said. "I'm angry because (Van Persie's sending off) put us in a difficult position that wasn't needed."

Everton consolidated the final Champions League qualification spot with their first win at Aston Villa since 1987, Leon Osman scoring twice either side of a Tim Cahill strike.

Crystal Palace improved their chances of avoiding relegation as Andy Johnson converted two penalties to secure victory over Birmingham. Palace have 25 points, four more than 18th-placed Southampton.

Substitutes Frederic Kanoute and Robbie Keane scored late goals as Tottenham Hotspur climbed to eighth with victory over Fulham, only their second win in 23 London derbies.

Middlesbrough play Charlton Athletic and Newcastle United meet Bolton Wanderers on Sunday. Norwich City face Manchester City on Monday.

- REUTERS