Leaders Arsenal set an English top-flight record of 30 matches unbeaten since the start of the season when they drew 1-1 with Manchester United in a high-tempo match at Highbury in the English premier league on Sunday.

Thierry Henry put Arsenal in front five minutes after the break with a swerving 25-metre strike that deceived keeper Roy Carroll but United's substitute striker Louis Saha scored a simple close-range equaliser four minutes from time.

Arsenal's advantage over second-placed Chelsea, 5-2 winners at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, has been cut to seven points over the weekend but the leaders remain 12 points in front of third-placed champions United with eight games left.

The title favourites broke the record of 29 matches unbeaten from the start of a top-flight season held jointly by Liverpool and Leeds United.

"What these boys have done since the beginning of the season is remarkable," said coach Arsene Wenger. "As a manager, one of the most difficult things to get with a team is consistency."

Bookmakers made Arsenal 1/33 ON favourites to win the title and 10/11 ON to remain undefeated in the league all season. Chelsea are 12/1 for the title and United 20/1.

Arsenal, who meet United again on Saturday in an FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park in Birmingham, were quoted at 6/1 to win the treble of league, FA Cup and Champions League.

Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira said: "(United) are still there. We know that mathematically it's not over yet. There are three teams that can play for it and there's still a long way to go... But we're strong enough. I think we showed that today."

United manager Alex Ferguson conceded: "I'm sure they'll go on and win the league now."

FREAK GOAL

Earlier on Sunday, a remarkable lobbed goal by Henrik Pedersen after only four minutes gave Bolton Wanderers a 1-0 home win over fifth-placed Newcastle United.

The Danish striker was out on the edge of the penalty area when he struck a high, speculative lob into the middle with Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given well off his line.

The ball came down behind Given, who scrambled back too late, landing just outside the goal line and bouncing up into the roof of the net.

"I was surprised it went in. It was a very good effort from Henrik. He tried to hit the target and he made it," said Bolton's Stelios Giannakopoulos, voted man of the match.

Newcastle manager Bobby Robson said: "They won't kid me it's a brilliant goal. It was a fluke."

The victory ended Bolton's run of five defeats, including their League Cup final loss to Middlesbrough.

The defeat prevented Newcastle from overtaking Liverpool, who are a point and a place above them after a 0-0 draw with struggling Leicester City, as the race for the fourth Champions League berth next season hots up.

Liverpool's Bruno Cheyrou came closest to scoring when he hit the woodwork in a tight match at Leicester, who remain in the bottom three two points adrift of the safety zone.