Liverpool's Javier Mascherano (right) challenges Arsenal's Kolo Toure during their English Premier League soccer match at Anfield in Liverpool, northern England, yesterday. The match ended 1-1. - Reuters
LONDON (Reuters):
Arsenal regained first place in the Premier League yesterday, thanks to a Cesc Fabregas equaliser in an entertaining 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Anfield.
The Gunners trailed to Steven Gerrard's seventh-minute free kick, but the inspirational Fabregas stole in with 10 minutes remaining to give the visitors a deserved share of the points.
Arsenal have 26 points from 10 matches, while champions Manchester United, 4-1 winners at home to Middlesbrough on Saturday, also have 26 from 11, but have scored fewer goals. Liverpool are sixth with 20 points from 10.
Earlier Tottenham Hotspur suffered a third defeat in a tumultuous week to stay in the relegation zone, this time losing 1-2 at home to Blackburn Rovers for whom Christopher Samba scored a stoppage time winner.
Bolton Wanderers edged off the bottom with a 1-1 home draw against Aston Villa in Gary Megson's first match in charge, while Derby County return to the foot of the table after a 2-0 home defeat by Everton.
MAJOR TEST
Liverpool and Arsenal, both undefeated in the league this season, served up a treat in the weekend's outstanding fixture which was seen as a major test of Arsenal's credentials.
The home side, looking to hit back from a damaging 1-2 Champions League defeat by Besiktas on Wednesday, made a strong start with Gerrard forcing a fine early save from goalkeeper Manuel Almunia.
A minute later they went ahead when Gerrard's fierce freekick from the edge of the area flew through a hole in the Arsenal wall into the bottom left corner.
Arsenal, seeking a 13th consecutive victory in all competitions, hogged possession for the rest of the half with their fluent passing game forcing Liverpool back.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez sent on Peter Crouch after the break and the giant striker forced a great save from Almunia and then missed narrowly with another chance.
Fabregas wasted a glorious chance to equalise after 53 minutes when Emmanuel Eboue's low shot hit the base of the post and rebounded to him, but he fired wide with the goal gaping.
He made amends with 10 minutes remaining, however, running on to Alexandr Hleb's astute pass before toe-poking a shot past Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina.
Fabregas then hit the post with a curling effort as Arsenal went for the victory in a breathless finish.
"They proved they are ready for the challenge today and they never give up," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told Sky Sports. "It was a big test today but we showed tremendous quality."
Confident
He added: "I have been confident since the beginning of the season and I hope we have convinced a few more people. There is a long way to go but in my opinion we have the talent to fight to be champions," he said.
"We have come out of this big test a stronger team. We played without any hand brake or restrictions."
Wenger added: "What is different from last season? We have confidence now and we are more mature."
Benitez's gamble on using Spanish duo Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso so soon after injury failed with the pair both limping off. Torres suffered a recurrence of his adductor muscle problem, while Alonso was forced off when his metatarsal injury flared up again.
"In the end we had too many problems against a good team," Benitez told reporters. "But it was a pity to draw this game. We had a goal lead and had two or three more chances and if we had scored then it would have made a big difference.
"The players did show a lot of commitment and worked very hard against an Arsenal team that is sharp and confident and moves the ball quickly."
Looking ahead to next Saturday's home game against second-placed Manchester United, Wenger said: "The only thing I can say is that it's a test and we go into that match a lot stronger."
