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LONDON - Arsenal regained first place in the English soccer premier league today 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 yesterday, 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 0-2 home loss to Everton.
Liverpool and Arsenal, both unbeaten 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 loss to Besiktas last week, 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 free kick 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 goalkeeper 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 said.
"It was a big test today but we showed tremendous quality."
- REUTERS
