Van Persie snatches last-minute draw for Arsenal
Van Persie rescued a point for Arsenal in injury-time
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Wednesday, 28, Jan 2009 10:52
Robin van Persie earned Arsenal a vital 1-1 draw against Everton at Goodison Park as they try to keep pace with the top four sides in the Premier League.
The Dutchman equalised Tim Cahill's earlier strike two minutes into injury-time when he controlled Abou Diaby's pas on his chest and lashed a volley past Tim Howard.
The Toffees extended their unbeaten league run to seven games thanks to Cahill's goal just after the hour-mark and were unlucky to be denied the victory by van Persie's late goal.
Despite still playing without a recognised striker the Toffees caused the Gunners a few problems but lacked a decisive input up front.
Cahill headed an Arteta cross wide in the first-half while van Persie should have done better when Samir Nasri played him in.
In the second period Denilson wasted a good chance for the Gunners as he blazed over the bar and the visitors were soon made to pay.
Leighton Baines crossed a dangerous ball and Cahill ghosted past the Arsenal defence to head home his 100th career goal.
Ten minutes from time the Australian nearly added a second but Manuel Almunia managed to grab his fierce drive at the second attempt.
The Toffees looked to be set to close the gap on the Gunners in the table before van Persie struck in the dying moments.
The draw means Arsenal are now five points adrift of Aston Villa who occupy fourth place while Everton trail the Gunners by a further five points.
Elsewhere, Craig Bellamy scored against his former club on his debut for Manchester City as they beat Newcastle United 2-1 at Eastlands.
Robinho played despite a tough day in the headlines and set up Shaun Wright-Phillips for City's opener after 17 minutes.
Bellamy then doubled the home side's lead with 15 minutes to go, firing past Steve Harper from the edge of the box.
Andy Carroll got a goal back for the Magpies with ten minutes to go but it was too little too late.
Blackburn managed to earn a 2-2 draw against Bolton at Ewood Park after coming from two goals behind.
Matt Taylor and Kevin Davies put Bolton 2-0 ahead at half-time before Rovers came storming back.
Stephen Warnock reduced their arrears before Benni McCarthy looked to have blown their chances by missing a penalty.
But he made amends three minutes from time after Christopher Samba and Jason Roberts set him up for Rovers' second.
West Ham cruised past Hull City at home 2-0 thanks to goals from David Di Michele and Carlton Cole either side of half-time.