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 In an exciting battle at the Emirates Stadium, champions United looked set to complete a smash-and-grab victory when Cristiano Ronaldo scored late on, despite being dominated for long periods in terms of possession.

 But Gallas popped up in the box to seal a point and leave the two sides on 26 points, five points clear of the chasing pack, though Arsenal still have a game in hand.

 "Our character was tested twice," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said.

 "We were down and came back against a very good Manchester United side. They looked as if they could always take advantage of any mistake we made.

 "They have clinical players and they did that well but they didn't create a lot. Overall it was a fair result."

   United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was livid at referee Webb for not giving what he deemed to be a free-kick in the build-up to Arsenal's second equaliser.

 "Their second goal came from him not giving a free-kick for a foul on Louis Saha on the far side. It should have been a foul for us," Ferguson said.

 "I think we have thrown it away. At 2-1 you think you've won the game and for them to get a second goal when they did - for us to give it away in injury time - it is very hard to take, I can tell you. It is a fact that they got out of jail."

   Arsenal were in command throughout the first half but Wayne Rooney put United ahead on the stroke of half-time with a shot that took a deflection off Gallas.

 The home side were level within two minutes of the restart when Willy Sagna pulled the ball back for Cesc Fabregas to slot the ball into the corner.

 Arsenal brought on Theo Walcott as they searched for a winner but United looked to have won it when a brilliant ball from substitute Louis Saha found Patrice Evra and his cross was converted by Ronaldo.

 Evra almost gave Arsenal the equaliser when he sliced the ball onto his own crossbar but United looked to have won it when a scramble in the box saw Gallas free on the back post and his superb finish was ruled over the line by referee Howard Webb.

 Chelsea continued their recent revival with a 2-0 win at Wigan Athletic to move above Manchester City into third.

 Frank Lampard put the visitors ahead after a cross from Shaun Wright-Phillips and Juliano Belletti doubled their lead after just 18 minutes.

 "We won again and we won well, we played very nicely in the first half especially and scored two goals," Chelsea manager Avram Grant said.

 Portsmouth are a surprising fourth, after winning 4-1 at Newcastle, where three goals in the first 11 minutes set the tone for their victory.

 Noe Pamarot, John Utaka and Benjani made it 3-0 and though a Sol Campbell own goal gave the home side some hope, Niko Kranjcar scored the fourth in the second half, to the delight of manager Harry Redknapp.

 "It was a terrific performance and great goals. The first three goals were fantastic," he said.

 "The system we play, we have got an extra man in the middle of the park and they were going to get out-numbered in there, so I felt it was important we passed the ball and made them change their system or drag a wide man in.

 "That was something we spoke about all week, and we did it to perfection - and the goals were absolutely fantastic."

   Blackburn moved above Manchester City into fifth after they held Liverpool to a goalless draw at Ewood Park.

 Peter Crouch had a header cleared off the line and Dirk Kuyt missed a couple of good chances but the two sides settled for a point which leaves Liverpool a point behind Blackburn and City in seventh.

 Everton scored twice in injury time to score a 3-1 victory againstBirmingham City, while Aston Villa beat Derby 2-0.

 Fulham ended their match against Reading with ten men after Elliot Omozusi was sent off, but by then they had done enough to win 3-1.

 Tottenham Hotspur moved above Wigan with a 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough, where Luke Young equalised Darren Bent's early strike.

DPA