Middlesbrough spoils party on Arsenal boss’s birthday

MANCHESTER, England — Arsenal climbed to the top of the English Premier League on manager Arsene Wenger’s 67th birthday Saturday.

But Wenger was in no mood to celebrate after a 0-0 home draw against struggling Middlesbrough brought an end to Arsenal’s six-game winning run in the league, just when it was being talked up as the real deal in the title race. Many will describe a slip-up of this kind as being typical of Arsenal, which has stumbled when expectations are at their highest in recent years. Its last league title came in 2004.

It could have been worse, with Middlesbrough creating the better chances at Emirates Stadium and drawing three excellent saves out of Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech in the first half.

“At least you can have a drink on your birthday,” Wenger said. “When you win, you deserve it. When you don’t, you need it.”

Arsenal is in first place on goal difference from Liverpool, which beat West Bromwich Albion 2-1 at Anfield for a sixth win in nine league matches. Manchester City needs only a point against Southampton today to reclaim the lead.

Harry Kane can’t return quick enough for Tottenham, which drew 0-0 at Bournemouth. The stalemate came at the end of a week when Spurs squandered many chances in a 1-1 draw at West Bromwich Albion last weekend in the Premier League, and then drew 0-0 at Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Kane, the Premier League’s top scorer last season, has just returned to training after five weeks out with an ankle injury.

Leicester finally managed to transfer its Champions League form to the Premier League.

Ahmed Musa, Shinji Okazaki and Christian Fuchs scored for Leicester in only a third win of its disappointing title defence, beating Crystal Palace at home 3-1.

Things look bleak for Sunderland. A 1-0 loss at West Ham was the latest blow for a side that is winless.