Liverpool missed their chance to keep themselves four points ahead of Chelsea at the top of the Premier League with a 1-1 draw against Arsenal at the Emirates.
Despite maintaining their lead at the summit of the Premiership, Chelsea could leapfrog them if they beat Everton at Goodison tomorrow evening.
In a relatively tight contest between these two sides, a draw was probably a fair result if not expected- this being the fourth draw in Liverpool's last five league games.
Arsenal, having gone ahead in the 24th minute through a superbly taken goal by Robin Van Persie were pegged back thanks to a mixture of slack defending and great anticipation which saw the much-maligned Robbie Keane rifle an unstoppable half-volley past Manuel Almunia, the Arsenal goalkeeper.
The game only really came to light when Emanuel Adebayor, the Arsenal striker, was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence which Howard Webb, the match official, deemed a dangerous tackle on Liverpool's Alvaro Arbeloa. This further weakened an Arsenal side who were forced to substitute their captain, Cesc Fabregas, at the interval following a strong challenge from Xabi Alonso seconds before the half-time whistle was blown.
Liverpool failed to make the most of their numerical advantage and were far too cautious in going forward which is a weakness which could blight their title challenge. With this draw becoming the fourth of their last five league games Rafael Benitez, the Liverpool manager, will be increasingly alarmed at his sides inability to finish off opponents. Much was made of the way in which Liverpool responded in salvaging a draw after falling two goals behind to Hull City at Anfield, yet the very fact that they found themselves trailing at home to the Premier League new-boys would surely have been of paramount concern to the Liverpool boss.
Every campaign throws up strange results and points will inevitably lost but the likes of West Ham United, Hull and Fulham are the type of games that Benitez would be hoping to take maximum points from when in reality they have only managed three points from these three games. The huge positive for Liverpool at this moment in time is that lady luck is shining on them and has been for the best part of the season as the 'big four' of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have all failed to take advantage of any situation presented to them.
Chelsea could go a point clear with a win at Everton tomorrow and United will be in buoyant mood as they arrive back as World Champions and safe in the knowledge that they have two games in hand in which to claw their way back to the top of the league. Liverpool will need to start making their own luck if they are to avoid the second-half of their season becoming a repeat of this afternoon's second-half performance.
Despite maintaining their lead at the summit of the Premiership, Chelsea could leapfrog them if they beat Everton at Goodison tomorrow evening.
In a relatively tight contest between these two sides, a draw was probably a fair result if not expected- this being the fourth draw in Liverpool's last five league games.
Arsenal, having gone ahead in the 24th minute through a superbly taken goal by Robin Van Persie were pegged back thanks to a mixture of slack defending and great anticipation which saw the much-maligned Robbie Keane rifle an unstoppable half-volley past Manuel Almunia, the Arsenal goalkeeper.
The game only really came to light when Emanuel Adebayor, the Arsenal striker, was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence which Howard Webb, the match official, deemed a dangerous tackle on Liverpool's Alvaro Arbeloa. This further weakened an Arsenal side who were forced to substitute their captain, Cesc Fabregas, at the interval following a strong challenge from Xabi Alonso seconds before the half-time whistle was blown.
Liverpool failed to make the most of their numerical advantage and were far too cautious in going forward which is a weakness which could blight their title challenge. With this draw becoming the fourth of their last five league games Rafael Benitez, the Liverpool manager, will be increasingly alarmed at his sides inability to finish off opponents. Much was made of the way in which Liverpool responded in salvaging a draw after falling two goals behind to Hull City at Anfield, yet the very fact that they found themselves trailing at home to the Premier League new-boys would surely have been of paramount concern to the Liverpool boss.
Every campaign throws up strange results and points will inevitably lost but the likes of West Ham United, Hull and Fulham are the type of games that Benitez would be hoping to take maximum points from when in reality they have only managed three points from these three games. The huge positive for Liverpool at this moment in time is that lady luck is shining on them and has been for the best part of the season as the 'big four' of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have all failed to take advantage of any situation presented to them.
Chelsea could go a point clear with a win at Everton tomorrow and United will be in buoyant mood as they arrive back as World Champions and safe in the knowledge that they have two games in hand in which to claw their way back to the top of the league. Liverpool will need to start making their own luck if they are to avoid the second-half of their season becoming a repeat of this afternoon's second-half performance.
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