AP
Cristiano Ronaldo (right) of Manchester United gets past Blackburn's Tugay during their Barclays Premiership match at Ewood Park yesterday. United won 2-0.

LONDON (AP):

MANCHESTER UNITED climbed back into the Premier League title race with a 2-0 victory at Blackburn yesterday, and Cesc Fabregas headed an injury-time equaliser for Arsenal in a 1-1 draw at Sunderland.

Wayne Rooney provided the cross for Wes Brown to head United's first goal in the 31st minute at Ewood Park.

Rooney, who had shaken off an ankle injury, collected a pass from Cristiano Ronaldo in the 64th to add the second with a curling shot for his third goal in three games.

The victory - a fourth in a row in all competitions - lifted the slow-starting Red Devils to sixth in the standings, three points behind joint leaders Chelsea and Liverpool, who both play today. Chelsea host Aston Villa and Liverpool visit Manchester City.

Beaten at home by Hull last week, the Gunners appeared to be heading for another loss when Grant Leadbitter headed home a corner for Sunderland in the 86th minute.

But Arsenal's late pressure led to Fabregas scoring with a rare header in the third minute of injury time for only his second goal in 25 games.

The third-place Gunners have 13 points from seven games after dropping five in their last two matches. Chelsea and Liverpool lead the standings with 14 points.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was unhappy with Sunderland's defensive tactics.

"They just didn't try to play," he said. "They defended very well with 10 men and focussed just on that. We are frustrated because it was not a real open football game. I expected them to play more going forward but they were very, very defensive."

In yesterday's other games, West Bromwich Albion edged Fulham 1-0 and Middlesbrough won 1-0 at Wigan.

Yorke in action

Making his first appearance of the season, former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke played in front of the Sunderland back four.

Arsenal had ball in the net when Robin van Persie turned home a cross from Theo Walcott, but the linesman flagged incorrectly that the ball had gone out of play.

"I believe the TV replay showed that the ball was not out, but I can't change anything on that," Wenger said. "It just means that in the last two championship games everything went against us."

Sunderland manager Roy Keane was frustrated his team went so close to beating a leading title contender.

"If you'd have asked me this morning if I'd have taken a point against Arsenal, I probably would have," the former Manchester United captain said.

"Obviously for them to score so late might be hard for our supporters to take, but credit to Arsenal for taking it."

Roman Bednar turned in a corner by Jonathan Greening in the 61st minute for West Brom's winner against Fulham, who have now lost four straight games.