LONDON, Dec 22 (Reuters): Leaders Liverpool stayed eight points clear of Arsenal in the race for the Premier League title after the two sides fought out an epic 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium Sunday.
Arsenal, reduced to 10 men after 62 minutes when Emmanuel Adebayor was sent off for a second yellow card after raising an elbow to Alvaro Arbeloa, continued to cause Liverpool problems throughout. But in the end the league leaders were well worth the point that keeps them ahead of Chelsea at the top of the table.
Robin Van Persie put Arsenal ahead with an excellently taken goal after 24 minutes before Robbie Keane, who has struggled to find his form for Liverpool since his move from Arsenal's arch-rivals Tottenham in the off-season, equalised three minutes before halftime.
Although Adebayor's controversial red card gave Liverpool the numerical supreriority, they were forced to defend resolutely to thwart Arsenal in the second half.
The result left Liverpool top with 39 points from 18 matches, two more than Chelsea who play Everton Monday.
Aston Villa are third with 34 points from 18 games, followed by Manchester United (32 from 16). Arsenal remain fifth with 31 points from 18 games.
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez was forced to stay at home and watch the match on television following surgery for kidney stones, leaving his assistant Sammy Lee in charge of the side.
However, he would have been pleased with the way his men started the match-despite the absences of striker Fernando Torres (hamstring) and Javier Mascherano (flu).
Liverpool draw 1-1 with Arsenal
FE Team | Published: December 23, 2008 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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