United beats Arsenal 2-1 in Premier League on Abou Diaby’s own goal

United beats Arsenal 2-1 on own-goal

LONDON — Wayne Rooney’s penalty kick and an own-goal by Abou Diaby gave Manchester United a 2-1 victory over Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday. Chelsea and Tottenham won to stay neck-and-neck at the top of the standings.

Arsenal went ahead on Andrei Arshavin’s a 20-yard shot in the 40th minute at Old Trafford in a game marred by fouls. Rooney tied it the 59th minute on his penalty kick after he had been brought down by Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia. Diaby, under no pressure, headed a free kick from Ryan Giggs into his own net five minutes later.

Arsenal thought it had made it 2-2 in the fifth minute of stoppage time on Robin van Persie’s apparent goal but William Gallas was offside. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger protested furiously and was ordered off the bench by the referee.

Chelsea scored three goals in seven minutes at home and defeated Burnley 3-0 to move into first place on goal difference. Tottenham downed Birmingham 2-1 on Aaron Lennon’s injury-time goal off Roman Pavlyuchenko’s cross.