United draw 2-2 at Bolton

LONDON (AP):

Manchester United were held to a 2-2 draw by Bolton in the Premier League yesterday, failing to fully capitalise on defeats by Chelsea and Arsenal a day earlier.

United could have moved to within a point of league-leader Chelsea with a win at Reebok Stadium, but needed a 74th-minute equaliser by substitute Michael Owen to rescue a point and go second in the table. Chelsea relinquished their 100 per cent record by losing 1-0 to Manchester City on Saturday, while Arsenal lost 3-2 at home to West Bromwich Albion and has dropped to third.

"With the results this weekend, it was an opportunity to close that gap at the top, but it wasn't to be," said Owen, who made it three goals in the week after his double against Scunthorpe in the League Cup on Wednesday. "We were helped with a few nice results, but it's a long season and we'll bounce back."

Nani had cancelled out the early opener by Bolton defender Zat Knight before Martin Petrov gave the hosts the lead for the second time.

Aston Villa defeat wolves

In other matches, Aston Villa won 2-1 at Wolves, thanks to a late Emile Heskey header, and Stoke rallied to beat Newcastle 2-1 away.

Owen came off the bench in the 71st minute and glanced home Nani's free kick three minutes later with his first touch in the match, to leave United three points behind Chelsea.

"It's always a tough place to come, but we created enough chances and dominated most of the game. We're disappointed to only get a point," Owen said.

Bolton took the lead in the sixth minute when Petrov's left-wing corner was flicked in by centre back Knight, who got to the ball just ahead of Jonny Evans.

That goal sparked United into life and, after going close on a number of occasions, the visitors deservedly equalised through Nani, who picked the ball up on halfway and set off on a run through the Bolton defence before shooting low into the corner from 20 yards.

Rooney struggling

After Wayne Rooney was taken off by United manager Alex Ferguson, who later confirmed the England striker was struggling with an ankle injury, Bolton went ahead for the second time in the 67th. Petrov cut inside and smashed a right-foot shot that flicked off Darren Fletcher and past goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar at his near post.

Owen was then introduced for Fletcher and made an immediate impact with a darting run to the near post and heading Nani's free kick off the far post for his 200th career goal.

"Bolton were a real handful and our chances were reduced, but we must take credit for coming back again, it shows a bit of character," Ferguson said. "I thought it was a fair result."