Liverpool 1 – 1 Arsenal

Clashes between title contenders are usually tight, tactical games but this had plenty for the spectator in terms of quality and incident.

Liverpool set their stall out early, biting at the heels of the Arsenal players and denying them the room to play. They did have a scare early on as after 2mins Adebayor marauded through the Liverpool half only to be saved by a last ditch intervention from Carragher, but otherwise the initiative was with the home side early on.

After 5mins Gerrard showed he was in shooting form as he latched onto Finnan’s ball to blast a shot from 20 yards that had Almunia stretching to save. A minute later they had a free kick within shooting range, the ball was rolled to Gerrard who smashed the ball through the wall and past a helpless Almunia to make it one nil.

Liverpool’s ambition seemed to desert them having taken the lead as they dropped off Arsenal inviting the visitors to play in front of them. Arsenal duly obliged and began knocking the ball around with their usual flair.

On 16mins Fabregas played Adebayor into the inside left channel but Reina was quickly out to block the flicked effort from the Togolese forward. A similar ball, 4 minutes later, had Reina in no man’s land as he rushed out only to see a cross whipped in from Clichy go past him. The resulting effort form Eboue was cleared off the line and the keeper’s blushes were spared.

By the quarter-way mark Arsenal were thoroughly on top with the home side resorting to long hoofs up the pitch to relieve the pressure. Even Kolo Toure took advantage of Arsenal’s domination as he surged forward form the back on 24mins. The attempted one-two off Adebayor saw a poor return ball going too close to Reina with the Arsenal centre back through.

Liverpool’s first attack since the goal came on 26mins which saw them earn successive corners. It looked like it was going to be the “Stevie G Show” when the ball came to the Liverpool captain on the edge of the area but his powerful shot forced a great save form Almunia.

The home side kept a less dominant Arsenal at bay for the rest of the half while themselves still being reduced to long balls. The visitors began to look frustrated and it was to be Liverpool who were to come closest to scoring before the break.

Gerrards whipped in free kick on 42mins narrowly missed a host of Liverpool heads as Arsenal’s set piece defending looked ropey. All Arsenal mustered in response was a deflected shot by Adebayor which trickled to Reina.

The beginning of the second half saw Crouch replace a struggling Torres and it wasn’t long before the lanky forward was making an impression. On 51mins he had a great effort from 20yards which required an excellent save from the Arsenal keeper.

Minutes later Arsenal should have equalised. Eboue hit the upright from inside the area with the rebound falling kindly for Fabgregas but the Spaniard unbelievably blazed wide with the goal at his mercy!

Liverpool looked more positive in the second half but still defending stoutly when required. Crouch came close twice before, on 64mins, Gerrard’s free kick into the box saw Arsenal look less than convincing in defending set pieces again with Toure required to clear off the line.

Shortly after that the home side began sitting back again, devoid of ambition but looking comfortable as the pressure from Arsenal wasn’t anything like it was in the first half.

On 75mins Liverpool came close to wrapping up the match but Riise’s volley from the edge of the area was just over.

However Arsenal got what they deserved on 79mins when Hleb played a lovely dinked ball over the top to find the run of Fabregas, beating the offside trap and toe-poking the ball past Reina at his near post.

An end to end finale ensued as both sides looked for a winner. And Arsenal should have had one, as on 86mins Fabregas hit the near post from 25yards out, the ball fell to Bendtner but the Dane lashed his shot high and wide with the goal gaping in front of him.

Liverpool too had their chance, on 89mins, Crouch layed it off to Gerrard inside the box but Gallas slid to block the close range shot.

At the death Toure and Gallas almost combined form a free kick but it wasn’t to be. Honours even in an entertaining match that had both teams playing to their strengths.

Man of the Match: Almunia – made some crucial saves to keep his side in the game