LONDON (AP) — Manchester United moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League thanks to their late winner in a 1-0 victory against Bolton yesterday while second-placed Arsenal only managed a 2-2 draw at West Bromwich Albion.

United were down to 10 men following Jonny Evans’ sending off in the 76th minute when substitute Dimitar Berbatov capitalised on Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen’s error to grab the winning goal in the 88th for his league-high 20th of the season.

Arsenal, who have a game in hand, scored twice in the final 20 minutes — through Andrey Arshavin and Robin van Persie — to claim a point at the Hawthorns, but lost ground in their title challenge.

Fifth-place Tottenham’s push for a top-four finish was held up by drawing 0-0 at home to West Ham, who climbed out of the relegation zone with their point.

Wigan won 2-1 at home to Birmingham, who dropped to second from bottom, but remained in last place by a point. Wolverhampton stayed in the relegation area despite their 1-0 victory at Midlands rivals Aston Villa.

In a congested lower half of the table, three points separate the bottom eight teams.

In other results yesterday, Everton beat Fulham 2-1, Blackburn scored a late equaliser to draw 2-2 at home to Blackpool and Stoke thrashed midtable rivals Newcastle 4-0.

United manager Alex Ferguson watched his side get out of jail from the stands, as he was serving the first match of a five-game touchline ban for criticising a referee earlier this month.

Evans, back in United’s team after injury, was shown a straight red card for a studs-up challenge on Bolton midfielder Stuart Holden, who had to be carried off on a stretcher with a deep gash in his left knee.

Matt Taylor then missed a close-range header that would have put the visitors in front and Berbatov made him pay, taking advantage of Jaaskelainen’s inability to hold a long shot from Nani to slot the rebound into an empty net.

United avoided losing a third straight league game for the first time since December 2001.

Arsenal gave renewed hope to Manchester City and Chelsea, who play each other at Stamford Bridge today, of a second-place finish by dropping two more points in the title race.

Steven Reid and Peter Odemwingie scored either side of the break to give West Brom a two-goal lead, but Arshavin started Arsenal’s comeback in the 70th minute and Van Persie equalised eight minutes later.

City are five points behind Arsenal, with Chelsea a further two back. Tottenham are two points behind Chelsea.