American goalie Tim Howard's eighth shutout of the season helped Manchester United beat Aston Villa 4-0 Saturday, tightening the three-team race atop the English Premier League.

Ruud van Nistelrooy and Diego Forlan scored twice each to back Howard's first shutout since United beat Portsmouth 3-0 on Nov. 1.

First-place Chelsea tied last-place Leeds 1-1, and second-place Arsenal tied Leicester by the same score.

Chelsea is 11-1-3 for 36 points, Arsenal is 10-0-5 for 35, and Manchester United is 11-3-1 for 34. Chelsea moved into first place last weekend by beating Manchester United 1-0.

In other games Saturday, Alan Shearer's penalty gave Newcastle a 1-1 tie against Liverpool, Tottenham beat Wolves 5-2 behind Robbie Keane's three goals, Blackburn defeated Birmingham 3-0, Fulham edged Bolton 2-1, and Middlesbrough tied Portsmouth 0-0.

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