Manchester United and Arsenal failed to take advantage of Chelsea's inactivity in the snowbound Premier League when they were held to draws by Birmingham City and Everton yesterday.

United came from behind to draw 1-1 at Birmingham, while Arsenal rescued a point when a last-gasp Tomas Rosicky equalizer earned a 2-2 home draw with Everton.

The results left Chelsea, who had their match at Hull City postponed because of the icy weather, clear at the top with 45 points from 20 matches, followed by United with 44 from 21 and Arsenal with 42 from 20. Tottenham Hotspur, who had today's trip to Liverpool called off, are fourth with 37 points from 20 games.

United, knocked out of the FA Cup last week by League One (third division) Leeds United, looked to be heading for another defeat at Birmingham. The home team, who set a club record by stretching their unbeaten run to 12 league games, took the lead through Cameron Jerome after 39 minutes when United failed to clear a corner.

Birmingham more than matched the champions until Scott Dann conceded an own goal after 63 minutes when the visitors pressurized the City defense. United finished with 10 men after Darren Fletcher was shown a second yellow card for a trip on Jerome six minutes from time.

At the Emirates, Rosicky's late goal saved Arsenal as the Londoners missed the chance to move within a point of Chelsea.

Landon Donovan debuted for Everton, setting up one goal with a cross. Donovan is on loan for 10 weeks from the Los Angeles Galaxy. The MLS star sent a pass in the 12th minute to Leon Osman, whose header put Everton in front.

The lead lasted just 16 minutes. Denilson charged down a clearance, and the ball fell to Andrei Arshavin on the edge of the penalty area. Arshavin fed Eduardo da Silva, who touched a pass back to Denilson and his low strike deflected off Osman past U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard.