The stakes have just gone through the roof in the English Premier League after Wednesday night as Arsenal hosted Liverpool at the Emirates stadium.
The first half saw both sides miss close opportunities to get ahead on the scoresheet. William Gallas, Nicholas Bendtner and David Ngog failed to put it past the net.
Arsenal came out with more intent in the second half and finally in the 72nd minute. Abou Diaby broke the deadlock much to the delight of Arsene Wenger, a Tomas Rosicky cross superbly headed home by Diaby.
With the 1-0 win, Arsenal are still placed third but are right back into the title race. And the reason Arsenal can dream again is because EPL leaders Chelsea were handed an embarrassing defeat by Everton at Goodison Park.
The Blues had started on a great note taking the lead in the 17th minute through a Florent Malouda strike. But the hosts clawed there way back into the match. Louis Saha headed home the leveller in the 33rd minute as Chelsea captain John Terry was caught on the wrong foot.
Saha continued to torment Terry. The killer blow came on the 75th minute when Saha lashed an unstoppable volley past Cech to seal a 2-1 win for Everton.
It’s Manchester United who are hot at the heels of Chelsea. United travelled to Villa Park and were held to a 1-1 draw by Aston Villa.
Carlos Cuellar stunned Edwin van der Sar in the 19th minute with a clever header after United’s defence failed to properly clear a Downing cross. But luck wasn’t with Villa.
In the 23rd minute Nani set up Ryan Giggs with a cross in the penalty area but James Collins just couldn’t get out of the way – tenth own goal gifted to United this season.
Nani then ruined the red devils’ chance to win with a lunge on Petrov a minute before the half hour a straight red card.
Despite the defeat Chelsea remain on top of the EPL standings but Manchester United are turning on the heat. They are just one point behind on 57. The three points from their win over Liverpool have put Arsenal back in contention for the top spot.
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