Liverpool held by ten-man Gunners
Robin van Persie scored his ninth goal of the season
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Sunday, 21, Dec 2008 10:06
Liverpool have blown the chance to go four points clear at the top of the Premier League after a 1-1 draw with ten-man Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Robin Van Persie's exquisite strike was cancelled out by a wonder goal from Robbie Keane on his return to the side.
But the Reds failed to grab a winner despite Cesc Fabregas limping off at half-time, and Emmanuel Adebayor being sent off on the hour mark.
Rafael Benitez's side will lose top spot if Chelsea beat Everton tomorrow, while the Gunners stay fifth.
The first half was a disappointing affair, but was lit up by two moments of quality.
The first came on 25 minutes when van Persie controlled Samir Nasri's 35-yard pass with his chest, before beating Jamie Carragher and hammering a shot into the corner.
The second arrived on 42 minutes when Keane ran on to Daniel Agger's clearance and lashed a half-volley into the top corner to equalise for only his third league goal of the season.
Liverpool should have led going into half-time but Gerrard blazed over from close range after connecting with Dirk Kuyt's cross.
The Gunners' best chance fell to Adebayor, whose header was saved by Jose Reina.
Arsene Wenger's afternoon got progressively worse, starting with Cesc Fabregas limping off with knee ligament damage after a crunching tackle by Xabi Alonso.
He then saw his side outplayed in the second half with Manuel Almunia forced into a fine save to keep out Lucas' shot from the edge of the box.
The home side's hopes of victory were dashed further when Adebayor was shown a second yellow by referee Howard Webb for a high challenge on Alvaro Arbeloa on 61 minutes.
That sparked a flurry of yellow cards for both sides with the visitors failing to capitalise on their man advantage.
Liverpool threw everything at the Gunners in the closing minutes with Agger firing a 35-yard strike agonisingly wide, while substitute Nabil El Zhar headed inches wide.
But Arsenal held on to keep themselves eight points behind the Reds in the latest twist in the title race.