Liverpool lose fourth spot after Wigan draw

LONDON - Liverpool's title aspirations suffered another blow on Wednesday when they could manage only a 1-1 home draw against relegation-threatened Wigan Athletic to drop 12 points behind leaders Arsenal.

Fernando Torres unlocked the Wigan defence just after halftime but defender Titus Bramble levelled with 10 minutes remaining after a poor clearance from Steven Gerrard.

The dropped points cost Liverpool fourth place in the table, Sven-Goran Eriksson's Manchester City rising above them after a 2-0 victory at troubled Newcastle United.

Brazilian Elano opened the scoring for City shortly before the interval and not even the second-half introduction of Michael Owen could inspire the Magpies.

City doubled their lead through Fernandes Gelson and are now fourth with 39 points, one more than fifth-placed Liverpool who have played one game fewer. Arsenal are top with 50 points.

In the other two fixtures Sunderland slipped back into the relegation zone after a 1-0 defeat at Blackburn Rovers while Bolton Wanderers boosted their survival chances after a last-minute 1-0 defeat of bottom club Derby County.

- REUTERS