LONDON (AP):
MANCHESTER UNITED stayed on Arsenal's heels in the Premier League title chase yesterday with a 2-1 win over Leeds at Old Trafford.
A late goal from Mikael Silvestre secured the win and moved United up to 58 points, five behind league-leader Arsenal.
But Newcastle, who were joint-second with United going into yesterday's matches, stayed eight points behind Arsenal after losing 1-0 away to Middlesbrough, Geremi scoring the goal.
The Magpies, who had not lost in two months, are now third on 55 points.
At Old Trafford, United went ahead when Lucas Radebe scored an own goal after 20 minutes. Mark Viduka headed Leeds level after 64 minutes from an Ian Harte cross.
But just when it seemed United would have to settle for a draw which would virtually hand the league title to Arsenal, Silvestre stole into the box to nod home a David Beckham free-kick.
At Middlesbrough, Cameroon international Geremi grabbed the goal just past the hour as 'Boro maintained their impressive home form.
Franck Queudrue was allowed time and space on the left to pick out Geremi, who sent a header past goalkeeper Shay Given.
It could have been 2-0 three minutes later when George Boateng's reverse pass caught out the Newcastle defence to put Stuart Parnaby in on goal, but the youngster blazed his first-time effort high over.
Kieron Dyer had an opportunity to level on fulltime but steered a left-foot shot wide of Mark Schwarzer.
