LONDON, Jan 11: Manchester United closed the gap on leaders Arsenal after coming from a goal down to win 3-1 at West Bromwich Albion in the English Premier League on Saturday.

Jason Koumas fired rock-bottom Albion into an early lead but then Ruud van Nistelrooy, Paul Scholes and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replied for United, who are now two points behind Arsenal. The champions play away at Birmingham City on Sunday.

Lee Bowyer was denied a winning debut for West Ham United after Jermaine Jenas struck with a superb late volley to earn Newcastle United a 2-2 draw at Upton Park.

Midfielder Bowyer, cleared last year in a court case involving an attack on an Asian youth in Leeds, faced protests from anti-racist West Ham fans before the game following his midweek move from Leeds. Craig Bellamy fired Newcastle ahead before goals from Joe Cole and Jermaine Defoe gave West Ham a halftime lead.

Chelsea consolidated third place after thumping Charlton Athletic 4-1 at Stamford Bridge, but Liverpool’s dismal run continued, a 1-1 draw at home to Aston Villa extending their run to 11 league games without a win.

Michael Owen scored his first league goal since November 2 but Dion Dublin levelled from the penalty spot early in the second half.

Middlesbrough battled back from 2-0 down to preserve their unbeaten home record in a 2-2 draw with Southampton, while Manchester City beat Leeds United 2-1.

There were goalless draws between Bolton Wanderers and Fulham and Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers. Tottenham play Everton on Sunday.

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