• Premier League round-up

Balotelli sees red as City draw at Anfield

Liverpool were unlucky not to win after dominating the final 20 minutes © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Kuyt confident Reds on course for Champions League
  
• Team of the Weekend: Team of the Week: Magpies and Canaries on song
  
• News: Mancini defends fiery Balotelli after latest indiscretion
  

This season ESPN Goals is completely free. It's the first place to see every goal from every Premier League game, all season long

Premier League gallery

A comical own goal from Joleon Lescott checked Manchester City's title charge as the Premier League leaders, who had Mario Balotelli sent off in the late stages, drew 1-1 with Liverpool at Anfield.

City, now five points clear of second-placed Manchester United, took the lead through Vincent Kompany before Lescott's freakish leveller earned Liverpool a point that takes them above Arsenal and into sixth.

Craig Bellamy was omitted from the Liverpool squad after the death of Wales boss and close friend Gary Speed, with Jordan Henderson coming in to replace him. Elsewhere, Stewart Downing returned in place of Maxi Rodriguez, while City boss Roberto Mancini made five changes from the team which lost at Napoli in midweek, welcoming back Micah Richards, Gael Clichy, Gareth Barry, Samir Nasri and Sergio Aguero.

City showed no sign of a Napoli hangover in the early stages, stroking the ball around the pitch fluently - but they found it hard to penetrate the two rigid banks stationed in front of Pepe Reina. All City had to show for their early possession was Yaya Toure miscuing over from 12 yards after Liverpool failed to deal with a corner.

On 30 minutes, Liverpool again struggled at a set piece - and this time they were punished. David Silva whipped a corner in towards the near post, where City skipper Vincent Kompany - who was surprisingly being marked by Dirk Kuyt - headed across goal and into the far corner.

But barely two minutes later, Liverpool were level in farcical circumstances. Charlie Adam picked up the ball 30 yards from goal and fired a speculative shot which looked to be heading into Joe Hart's arms - only for Lescott to put his foot in the way, diverting the ball out of Hart's path and into the empty net. City were rattled by the Reds' instant response, and Adam came close to grabbing a second when, rushing onto Kuyt's cutback, he drilled a low shot that was expertly saved by Hart, who flung out a leg.

Liverpool were unrecognisable from their earlier selves in the dying embers of the opening period, pressing higher up the pitch and moving the ball at a high tempo when in possession. Glen Johnson flashed a left-footed drive just wide of the far post, shortly before the whistle offered City a much-needed opportunity to regroup.

City looked less dishevelled early in the second half, with Nasri powering in an early drive and Clichy crossing dangerously across the six-yard box - but Liverpool could boast the best chance, Kuyt sending a header inches wide after sneaking ahead of Clichy to meet Downing's lashed cross.

There was a minute's silence in tribute to Gary Speed before both matches © Getty Images

Enlarge

Following ten minutes of arm-wrestling in midfield that extinguished the game's spark, Downing crashed in a half-volley that Hart did well to tip over the bar. With chances scarce, an intriguing sub-plot developed between Luis Suarez and Kompany who, on a yellow card, was taking a risk every time he tussled with the Uruguayan - a striker never reluctant to hit the ground under pressure.

Kompany's defensive partner Lescott nearly found himself culpable for the second time in the match on 70 minutes when, attempting to clear Suarez's centre, he kicked the ball straight onto Kuyt. Luckily for Lescott, the Dutchman was unable to exert any control on the ball, which flew wide of the target.

As they had before the break, Liverpool built up a head of steam in the late stages of the half, with City perhaps beginning to feel the strain of that midweek trip to Italy. Martin Skrtel prodded into Hart's arms from a free kick, then an unmarked Downing sent a first-time volley flying across goal.

City were already sagging against the ropes when substitute Balotelli was sent off on 83 minutes, picking up a second booking for putting his forearm into Skrtel's face as they tussled to win a header. Mancini appeared to show no sympathy to his countryman when they crossed paths, waving him off the pitch.

The table toppers, under pressure like never before this season, required a fine Hart save from Suarez to keep them level - a stop that sparked a late counter, which culminated in Silva taking the ball round Reina before producing a tame chip that was hacked off the line.

There was still time for Hart to pull off another two tremendous saves - this time from Andy Carroll as well as Suarez - as City just about protected their unbeaten start to the league season.

Earlier in the day, Swansea and Aston Villa played out a subdued goalless draw at the Liberty Stadium in a game overshadowed by the death of Speed.

The death of the 42-year-old was confirmed just over an hour before kick-off and a minute's silence was announced as the two sides lined up on the field, which quickly gave way to a spontaneous round of applause and chants of 'There's only one Gary Speed'.

There were four members of the Wales national squad involved in the game as Ashley Williams, Neil Taylor, Joe Allen and James Collins started for their respective clubs. Villa goalkeeper Shay Given, who had played with Speed at Newcastle, was in tears prior to kick-off.

With the overwhelming sense of sadness it was perhaps no surprise that the match was a drab affair. Substitute Leroy Lita fired narrowly wide with Swansea's best chance, while man-of-the-match Gabriel Agbonlahor was twice denied by Michel Vorm and Chris Herd headed wide.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.