LONDON, (Reuters) – Manchester United extended their unbeaten Premier League run to 18 games and regained top spot yesterday but there were no celebrations after they gave away another late goal in a 1-1 draw at Birmingham City.
Earlier Mario Balotelli hit a hat-trick, including two penalties, to help Manchester City beat Aston Villa 4-0 and briefly reach the pinnacle. United looked on course to leapfrog them with a two-point cushion after Dimitar Berbatov scored in the 58th minute but Lee Bowyer levelled a minute from time to leave the visitors with seven draws and one win from their eight away games.
The draw took them to 38 points from 18 games, ahead on goal difference of Manchester City, who have played 20. Arsenal, in action at Wigan Athletic on Wednesday, have 35 from 18 with Tottenham Hotspur fourth on 33 after beating Newcastle United 2-0.
Champions Chelsea, who have taken just six points from the last 24 having lost to Arsenal on Monday, slip to fifth on 31. They are also in action today against Wigan Athletic.
United had the chance to pull nine points clear of Chelsea but were cautious in their approach at Birmingham, who started the game in the bottom three.
Alex McLeish’s team, beaten at home only once and victorious over Chelsea last month, also seemed content to play it safe until Berbatov opened them up with a neat backheel then finished the move with a low, drilled shot for his 15th goal of the season.
