Ji-Sung Park's first-half effort earned Manchester United a hard-fought victory over Arsenal that enabled them to take top spot from their title rivals.
The South Korean improvised superbly to head Nani's deflected cross beyond the reach of goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.
Wayne Rooney could have doubled the lead but he blazed a penalty over after Gael Clichy had handled.
Arsenal's best efforts fell to Marouane Chamakh, who missed with a header and had a shot blocked by Nemanja Vidic.
Gunners manager Arsene Wenger would have been disappointed by the paucity of chances created, although his United counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson is unlikely to be eulogising about his side's performance.
Up until the opening goal the first half could be best described as high octane but rather rudderless.
Wenger criticises pitch after defeat at Old Trafford
From the whistle, both sides showed their intent in wanting to win the battle in a jam-packed midfield, with tackles flying in from every angle.
It was surprising that referee Howard Webb did not making a booking until late in the first half given the number of mistimed challenges.
The first yellow card was shown to Arsenal striker Chamakh for a foul on Nani.
Frustration may have caused the Moroccan forward to chop down the United winger, having failed to click with his fellow attackers in the final third during most of the half.
He did manage to work Edwin van der Sar with a tame diving header early on but that was the only time the United keeper was tested during the first 45 minutes.
Arsenal and United took no prisoners with their tackling and closing down but they were guilty of some wayward passing on a skiddy Old Trafford pitch.
However, the home side looked more threatening and had tested the Gunners' third-choice keeper Szczesny a couple of times with long-range efforts from Rooney and Nani, which he comfortably held.
He would have be lucky to get a fingertip to United's next effort - a low angled volley from Nani which flew fractionally wide of the Arsenal right-hand upright.
With 0-0 looking the likely scoreline at the interval, up popped Park to ensure United went in on top.
The South Korean scored his fourth goal against Wenger's side when he arched his neck to meet Nani's deflected cross and beat Szczesny with a looping header.
It was unlucky for the 20-year-old Pole, but he enhanced his reputation 10 minutes after the break by producing a superb block after Rooney had slipped in Anderson.
Phelan delighted with three points against Arsenal
Nani, who is increasing his value with every game, had a better chance moments later but fired over from 12 yards after dispossessing a casual Clichy 20 yards out.
Arsenal also wasted a good chance when Samir Nasri's low angled shot was palmed away by Van der Sar only as far as Chamakh who should have made some space before shooting, but instead had his reflex-reaction shot blocked by Vidic.
The visitors should have paid for the miss when United were awarded a penalty after Clichy slipped and was judged to have handled the ball as Nani attempted to nudge it past him.
Up stepped the usually reliable Rooney, who instead of finding the top corner of the net was closer to finding the top corner of the stand with his wild spot-kick.
That was ugly but Rooney came close to making amends with a thing of beauty late on when he executed a delightful chip which the 6ft 5in Szczesny did brilliantly to tip over.
Arsenal's defeat means they have won none of their last 11 games against United and Chelsea - that sort of form is unlikely to win them the title.
90:00+4:27 The referee blows his whistle to end the game.
90:00+3:18 Shot from inside the area by Francesc Fabregas clears the bar.
90:00+2:58 The referee penalises Wayne Rooney for handball. Direct free kick taken by Francesc Fabregas.
90:00+1:03 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ji-Sung Park by Theo Walcott. Edwin Van der Sar takes the free kick.
88:52 Theo Walcott crosses the ball, clearance by Rio Ferdinand.
86:45 Short corner taken by Ryan Giggs.
86:40 The ball is crossed by Ryan Giggs, Sebastien Squillaci gets a block in.
86:25 A cross is delivered by Bacary Sagna, clearance by Nemanja Vidic.
86:04 The ball is swung over by Gael Clichy, Rafael Da Silva gets a block in.
85:40 Wayne Rooney takes a shot. Save made by Wojciech Szczesny.
84:05 Alex Song gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Patrice Evra. Ryan Giggs restarts play with the free kick.
84:05 Substitution Ryan Giggs is brought on as a substitute for Oliveira Anderson.
84:05 Booking Alex Song booked for unsporting behaviour.
83:31 A cross is delivered by Gael Clichy, clearance made by Rio Ferdinand.
81:00 Marouane Chamakh takes a shot. Save made by Edwin Van der Sar.
80:35 Foul by Darren Fletcher on Sebastien Squillaci, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Francesc Fabregas.
79:40 Theo Walcott has an effort at goal from outside the box which goes wide left of the goal.
78:08 Theo Walcott delivers the ball, clearance by Rio Ferdinand.
76:43 Substitution Theo Walcott on for Andrey Arshavin.
74:20 The ball is sent over by Luis Nani, blocked by Gael Clichy.
Correction - 72:22 Penalty taken by Wayne Rooney and missed.
Correction - 72:22 The referee gives a against Gael Clichy for handball.
Correction - 72:22 Booking Samir Nasri goes into the referee's book.
72:22 Penalty taken by Wayne Rooney and missed.
72:22 Handball decision goes against Gael Clichy.
72:22 Booking Gael Clichy goes into the book.
71:27 The ball is sent over by Gael Clichy, Nemanja Vidic makes a clearance.
70:33 The referee blows for offside. Free kick taken by Wojciech Szczesny.
69:04 Robin van Persie challenges Patrice Evra unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Nemanja Vidic.
67:15 Oliveira Anderson produces a left-footed shot from just outside the penalty box that misses to the left of the target.
66:19 Unfair challenge on Luis Nani by Gael Clichy results in a free kick. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Luis Nani
from right channel, Laurent Koscielny makes a clearance.
64:51 Andrey Arshavin takes a shot. Save by Edwin Van der Sar.
64:42 Bacary Sagna crosses the ball, Rio Ferdinand manages to make a clearance.
63:27 Darren Fletcher challenges Jack Wilshere unfairly and gives away a free kick. Laurent Koscielny takes the direct free kick.
63:27 Substitution Robin van Persie on for Jack Wilshere.
63:27 Substitution Francesc Fabregas on for Tomas Rosicky.
62:21 Luis Nani takes the outswinging corner, Gael Clichy makes a clearance.
62:02 Short corner taken by Luis Nani.
61:56 The ball is delivered by Luis Nani, blocked by Gael Clichy.
61:45 Wayne Rooney takes a shot. Blocked by Sebastien Squillaci.
60:49 Unfair challenge on Ji-Sung Park by Alex Song results in a free kick. Michael Carrick takes the direct free kick.
58:33 Effort on goal by Luis Nani from deep inside the area goes harmlessly over the bar.
57:44 Corner taken by Samir Nasri from the left by-line to the near post, save by Edwin Van der Sar.
57:24 Samir Nasri takes a shot. Blocked by Rio Ferdinand.
56:57 Gael Clichy produces a cross, Rafael Da Silva makes a clearance.
55:52 Marouane Chamakh takes a shot. Nemanja Vidic gets a block in. Inswinging corner taken by Jack Wilshere from the right by-line.
55:33 Samir Nasri takes a shot. Save made by Edwin Van der Sar.
55:03 Bacary Sagna crosses the ball, Nemanja Vidic manages to make a clearance.
53:52 Oliveira Anderson takes a shot. Save by Wojciech Szczesny.
52:24 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ji-Sung Park by Gael Clichy. Patrice Evra takes the free kick.
52:11 A cross is delivered by Laurent Koscielny, clearance by Darren Fletcher.
52:03 Andrey Arshavin delivers the ball.
51:55 Andrey Arshavin decides to take a short corner.
51:38 The ball is sent over by Bacary Sagna, clearance made by Rafael Da Silva.
51:24 Gael Clichy crosses the ball, Rio Ferdinand makes a clearance.
50:10 Samir Nasri delivers the ball, Edwin Van der Sar makes a save.
49:12 Corner taken by Luis Nani played to the near post, Marouane Chamakh manages to make a clearance.
48:48 Luis Nani delivers the ball, clearance made by Alex Song.
48:01 Tomas Rosicky has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the left-hand post.
46:08 The ball is sent over by Darren Fletcher.
45:57 A cross is delivered by Rafael Da Silva, clearance by Laurent Koscielny.
45:44 Luis Nani takes a shot. Blocked by Laurent Koscielny.
45:24 The ball is swung over by Bacary Sagna, clearance by Michael Carrick.
45:01 The game restarts for the second half.
Half Time
45:00+2:40 The match has reached half-time.
45:00+1:18 Andrey Arshavin gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Darren Fletcher. Oliveira Anderson has an effort direct
from the free kick, blocked by Jack Wilshere.
45:00+1:18 Booking Andrey Arshavin is cautioned.
45:00+1:01 Rafael Da Silva crosses the ball, Gael Clichy manages to make a clearance.
44:51 Luis Nani takes a shot. Jack Wilshere gets a block in.
43:36 Free kick taken by Luis Nani.
43:36 Booking Marouane Chamakh goes into the referee's book for unsporting behaviour.
41:13 Shot from outside the area by Andrey Arshavin misses to the left of the target.
40:03 GOAL - Ji-Sung Park:Man Utd 1 - 0 Arsenal Ji-Sung Park grabs a headed goal from inside the area. Man Utd 1-0 Arsenal.
Correction - 40:01 Luis Nani has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the left of the target. Marouane Chamakh gives away
a free kick for an unfair challenge on Luis Nani.
40:01 Luis Nani has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the left of the target. Foul by Marouane Chamakh on
Luis Nani, awarded.
36:39 Marouane Chamakh fouled by Nemanja Vidic, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Wojciech Szczesny.
36:02 Luis Nani sends in a cross, save by Wojciech Szczesny.
Correction - 34:30 Wayne Rooney gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Gael Clichy. Wojciech Szczesny takes the free kick.
34:30 Foul by Wayne Rooney on Gael Clichy, free kick awarded. Wojciech Szczesny restarts play with the free kick.
32:29 Centre by Patrice Evra, clearance by Sebastien Squillaci.
30:39 Centre by Patrice Evra, clearance made by Gael Clichy.
29:56 The ball is delivered by Rafael Da Silva, save by Wojciech Szczesny.
29:37 Luis Nani delivers the ball, clearance made by Bacary Sagna.
29:24 Corner taken by Luis Nani from the left by-line to the near post, Marouane Chamakh manages to make a clearance.
27:42 A cross is delivered by Jack Wilshere, Rio Ferdinand manages to make a clearance.
27:34 Andrey Arshavin decides to take the corner short.
27:04 Andrey Arshavin produces a cross, blocked by Rafael Da Silva.
26:57 A cross is delivered by Jack Wilshere, blocked by Michael Carrick.
26:17 Michael Carrick concedes a free kick for a foul on Alex Song. Sebastien Squillaci takes the direct free kick.
24:23 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Patrice Evra by Jack Wilshere. Free kick taken by Edwin Van der Sar.
23:33 The ball is crossed by Samir Nasri.
22:47 Wayne Rooney takes a shot. Save by Wojciech Szczesny.
21:54 The ball is delivered by Darren Fletcher, Luis Nani produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty area which
goes wide of the left-hand post.
20:32 Effort from outside the penalty box by Andrey Arshavin goes wide left of the goal.
20:15 A cross is delivered by Gael Clichy, Nemanja Vidic manages to make a clearance.
19:24 The ball is delivered by Bacary Sagna, save by Edwin Van der Sar.
17:50 Oliveira Anderson is ruled offside. Wojciech Szczesny takes the free kick.
16:37 Centre by Andrey Arshavin.
15:11 Gael Clichy crosses the ball, Rafael Da Silva gets a block in.
13:45 Tomas Rosicky gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Oliveira Anderson. Edwin Van der Sar takes the free kick.
11:58 Free kick awarded for a foul by Alex Song on Oliveira Anderson. Luis Nani has a direct shot on goal from the free kick, save
by Wojciech Szczesny.
10:08 Laurent Koscielny concedes a free kick for a foul on Wayne Rooney. Rio Ferdinand takes the free kick.
9:48 Andrey Arshavin crosses the ball, Marouane Chamakh takes a shot. Save by Edwin Van der Sar.
8:54 Samir Nasri gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Darren Fletcher. Rio Ferdinand takes the free kick.
8:33 Wayne Rooney takes a shot. Save by Wojciech Szczesny.
8:16 Foul by Marouane Chamakh on Rafael Da Silva, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Edwin Van der Sar.
7:16 Michael Carrick challenges Tomas Rosicky unfairly and gives away a free kick. Sebastien Squillaci restarts play with the free
kick.
6:49 Luis Nani crosses the ball, Wojciech Szczesny makes a save.
6:21 The ball is crossed by Bacary Sagna, clearance by Rafael Da Silva.
4:25 Gael Clichy concedes a free kick for a foul on Luis Nani. Oliveira Anderson crosses the ball in from the free kick, clearance
made by Gael Clichy.
3:01 Foul by Patrice Evra on Alex Song, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Sebastien Squillaci.
1:52 Wayne Rooney is ruled offside. Indirect free kick taken by Wojciech Szczesny.
1:05 Free kick awarded for a foul by Alex Song on Ji-Sung Park. Direct free kick taken by Patrice Evra.
0:00 The game begins.
Live text and data provided by The Press Association.
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