Arsenal turn up pressure on United
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Henry scored his 13th league goal of the season
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LONDON, England -- Arsenal raised the heat on English Premier League leaders Manchester United with a 4-1 win over Middlesbrough but wasted the chance to go top.
The London side had been set to claim first place on goal difference until Massimo Maccarone's late consolation for the visitors.
That left Arsenal and United with identical records, although United have a game in hand, against Newcastle on Sunday.
Thierry Henry put Arsenal in front on 38 minutes, scoring his 13th league goal of the season from the penalty spot after Patrick Vieira had been brought down by Ugo Ehiogu.
Henry was also instrumental in the Gunners' second, on the stroke of halftime, when Boro defender Franck Queudrue deflected the French striker's freekick into his own net.
For the third on 57 minutes, Henry's cross was blocked by Gareth Southgate, but Robert Pires stepped up to collect the clearance and score from the edge of the area.
Freddie Ljungberg scored the fourth from close range 12 minutes later after Kanu's run had opened up Middlesbrough's defense.
Complete performance
But Arsenal's perfect afternoon was spoilt with just four minutes left when keeper Jens Lehmann fouled Maccarone to gift the Italian a penalty.
"It was a complete team performance, defensively and offensively," said Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger, who faces a striker shortage following an injury to young Frenchman Jeremie Aliadiere. (Full Story)
"Until 75 minutes, we were really, really good. What killed the game was maybe the second goal just before halftime, but today we could have scored more."
In other matches, Jason Euell scored twice as Charlton stayed fourth with a 2-0 win against last-placed Wolverhampton.
Michael Owen returned from injury as fifth-placed Liverpool followed up their midweek success at Chelsea with a 1-0 win over Aston Villa, thanks to Mark Delaney's own goal.
Battling Bolton bounced back from 3-1 down at Blackburn to claim a 4-3 win, while Portsmouth beat Manchester City 4-2.
Tottenham's recovery continued with a 1-0 win at crisis club Leeds, with Robbie Keane scoring the winner against his former team. Birmingham won 2-1 against Southampton and Fulham beat Everton 2-1.
In Sunday's other match, third-placed Chelsea go to Leicester.
