Peter Crouch damages Arsenal title hopes as Liverpool and Arsenal play out 1-1 draw
Crouch earns Liverpool Emirates draw
Also In The News
|
Sale Sharks have beaten Brive comfortably to qualify for the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup at Edgeley Park. |  |
Saturday, 05, Apr 2008 03:50
Peter Crouch made the most of a rare start for Liverpool by delivering a huge blow to Arsenal's title hopes as the two sides drew 1-1 at the Emirates Stadium.
Both Arsene Wenger and Rafa Benitez made changes to the sides that also drew 1-1 in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final, with the Gunners desperately needing three points to keep their ambitions of overhauling Manchester United's league lead.
Despite this, the home side got off to a slow start and it was Crouch who looked the sharpest player on the pitch, testing Manuel Almunia from 30 yards before playing in John ArneRiise, who missed a great opportunity to break the deadlock.
While Arsenal did seem to find their rhythm in the closing minutes of the first half, they were left to rue Theo Walcott's weak finishing as Crouch latched onto the end of a Pepe Reina goalkick and combined with Yossi Benayoun before drilling a low shot into the corner of the goal.
Arsene Wenger's halftime talk appeared to take immediate effect and, just after Kolo Toure headed inches wide from a corner, Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner was on hand to draw his team level, rising to head home a curling Cesc Fabregas free kick from close range.
However, Arsenal failed to keep up the momentum and in fact it was Liverpool who increasingly looked the most likely to take all three points, but substitute Andrei Voronin wasted two glorious chances to make a bad week even worse for the Londoners.