Chelsea's Michael Essien (left) reacts after hitting the crossbar in the last few minutes of the English Premier League football match against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in London yesterday. - Reuters

London (Reuters)

Arsenal dealt Chelsea's title hopes a blow by holding the champions to a pulsating 1-1 draw yesterday that boosted the chances of Premier League leaders Manchester United.

Arsenal's French midfielder Mathieu Flamini looked to have rifled in a 78th minute match-winner, only for Chelsea's Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien to smash home a stunning 30-metre piledriver in the 86th minute at Stamford Bridge.

The real winners on the day were United, who beat Man-chester City 3-1 on Saturday and are now eight points ahead of second-placed Chelsea after playing a game more.

United lead with 44 points from 17 games, Chelsea have 36 from 16, followed by Portsmouth and Liverpool on 28. Arsenal moved up to sixth on 26 points from 16 games.

Though the result was a setback for Jose Mourinho's side, they came desperately close to suffering a first home league defeat since February 2004, when they lost to Arsenal.

However, they could also have snatched victory in injury time when Essien and Frank Lampard both hit the woodwork.

"We were losing at home with five minutes to go and had an incredible reaction and should have won it," Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho told Sky Sports.

Arsenal, who had lost their last three away league games, packed their midfield in an effort to combat the physical presence of the champions.

Chelsea left back Ashley Cole, facing his old club for the first time since an acrimonious August transfer, was booed by Arsenal fans and cheered loudly by the home crowd every time he touched the ball.