United's victory tightened their grip on second place with 72 points, seven behind Chelsea, who slipped away a 15-point lead through a string of poor results.

In the Reebok Stadium, Louis Saha and substitute Ruud Van Nistelrooy scored to secure a comeback victory for United who were one goal down midway through the first period.

Kevin Davies put Bolton ahead in the 26th minute after he rounded United defender Rio Ferdinand inside the area before drilling a low shot into the back of the net.

French striker Saha leveled the score six minutes later when he received Mikael Silvestre's through pass before sending a superb left-footer into the net.

Dutch international Nistelrooy secured the precious victory in the 79th minute after connecting with Saha's low cross to tap-in easily into the empty net.

Earlier on Saturday, English champions Chelsea were held to a goalless away draw by struggling Birmingham.

Chelsea's attacking trio Didier Drogba, Arjen Robben and Damien Duff were disappointing as they failed to create scoring opportunities throughout the entire match.

Birmingham striker Emile Heskey wasted several chances which could have handed his side an astonishing victory over Chelsea.

Arsenal Reloaded

In Highbury, Arsenal produced a 5-0 drubbing of Aston Villa to cap an outstanding European week.

Arsenal lie fifth with 53 points with one game in hand, two behind fourth-place Tottenham.

Arsenal, who beat Juventus 2-0 at home midweek in their first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, continued their impressive performance and left their guests helpless through out the game.

Emmanuel Adebayor headed home in the 19th minute to open the score line before Thierry Henry doubled the lead six minutes later with an ice-cool lob after controlling a long pass from Jose Antonio Reyes.

Captain Henry widened the gap one minute after the break when he curled a powerful finish into the left top corner.

Substitute Robin Van Persie made it four in the 71st minute with a superb solo effort that saw him rounding a defender and the keeper before arrowing the ball home from tight angle.

Vassiriki Diaby marked a rare apperance with the fifth goal with an easy tap in past the helpless keeper.

In other matches, Everton tied Sunderland 2-2, Portsmouth beat Fulham 3-1 and Newcastle United defeated Tottenham 3-1.