Arsenal back on top after draw at Liverpool; Spurs beaten

Steven Gerrard smashed Liverpool ahead on seven minutes but Arsenal dominated possession for much of the match and Fabregas toe-poked the ball past Jose Reina with 10 minutes to go to equalize.

 Fabregas hit the post for Arsenal late on and Gerrard had a shot superbly blocked by William Gallas but both sides had to settle for a point which maintains both their unbeaten league records.

 Arsenal are top from Manchester United on goals scored, while Liverpool are sixth, six points behind the leaders and one point behind Chelsea and Blackburn Rovers, who won 2-1 at Tottenham.

 Liverpool, with Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso both in the starting line-up after injuries began strongly and took the lead after just seven minutes.

 Alonso was tripped on the edge of the box and Gerrard rifled home the free-kick with an unstoppable shot.

 But Arsenal worked themselves into the game as the half wore on and Fabregas should have done better than fire wide after Eboue's shot had cannoned off the foot of the post.

 Torres, who looked short of full-fitness, was forced off at half-time with a recurrence of his thigh problem, replaced by Peter Crouch, who forced a couple of sharp saves from Manuel Almunia.

 Alonso then limped off with a recurrence of his metatarsal injury, but Arsenal were dominating possession by then and when Alexander Hleb's lofted pass caught Reina flat-footed, Fabregas poked in the equalizer.

 Fabregas then hit the post from 20 yards and Nicklas Bendtner fired over from the rebound, while Gallas threw himself in the way to stop Gerrard pinching it for Liverpool.

 "It was a big test today but we have shown tremendous quality," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said.

 "Overall it was a great football game, a bit of an edgy start and we were punished quickly. From then on it was all us and it was a question of not conceding a second and coming back."

   Benitez said he was satisfied with the draw while Jamie Carragher said he was disappointed the home side could not hang on.

 "It was a great game, I'm just disappointed not to get a goal at the end," he said.

 "When you go 1-0 up you are disappointed. Both teams were going for it and Arsenal play great football, but I'm gutted we couldn't hold on.

 "But have to be pleased with the way we played, we've got a few injuries at the moment."

   New Tottenham head coach Juande Ramos watched from the crowd as the London side were beaten 2-1 at home by Rovers.

 Christopher Samba scored the winner for Mark Hughes' side in injury time after Robbie Keane had put the home side in front from the penalty spot just after half-time.

 Blackburn are now fifth and manager Mark Hughes was delighted to have snatched victory.

 "I would have been happy with the draw and then Chris Samba comes up with a fantastic strike," Hughes said.

 "We needed something out of this game and I'm delighted to get three points as we have some tough games coming up."

   Everton moved into the top half of the league after a comfortable 2-0 win at Derby County.

 Goals from Mikel Arteta and Yakubu gave Everton three points and lifted them up to ninth place.

 A goal from Aston Villa's Luke Moore prevented Gary Megson from clinching victory in his first match in charge of Bolton as the two sides drew 1-1 at the Reebok.

 Nicolas Anelka put Bolton ahead with a free-kick but Moore popped up to equalize.By Ben James, dpa