• Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool, Premier League

Kuyt earns dramatic draw against Arsenal

ESPN staff
April 17, 2011
Dirk Kuyt salvaged a point for Liverpool © PA Photos
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Dirk Kuyt scored with the last kick of the game to cancel out Robin van Persie's late penalty as Arsenal handed the advantage to title rivals Manchester United after being held 1-1 by Liverpool at Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal looked to close the gap to four points with United yet to make the trip to North London, but even a win against United on May 1 would not be enough for Arsene Wenger's men to overhaul their rivals now, with the Gunners six points adrift.

Van Persie looked to have sealed all three points from the spot after Cesc Fabregas was brought down by Jay Spearing in the seventh minute of stoppage time, but they failed to hang onto their lead.

With eight minutes of added time awarded following an injury to Jamie Carragher, who was knocked out after a clash of heads with team-mate John Flanagan, Liverpool raced up the other end of the pitch and referee Andre Marriner pointed to the spot after Emmanuel Eboue crashed into the back of Lucas.

And Kuyt made no mistake as he smashed the ball past the returning Wojciech Szczesny to seal a point for Kenny Dalglish's men.

Arsenal enjoyed the majority of the possession and had the best of the chances, but lacked the final touch as they struggled to find a way past a determined Liverpool defence.

Laurent Koscielny's first-half header rattled the crossbar, and Theo Walcott was denied a penalty after his follow-up shot appeared to strike Dirk Kuyt's arm. Van Persie had the ball in the back of the net before the break, but his goal was disallowed for offside.

Pepe Reina denied Van Persie late on after a slick passing move by Arsenal saw Samir Nasri flick the ball into the Dutchman's path, but his strike was superbly blocked by the Reds keeper.

Luis Suarez had a chance at the other end after Kuyt threaded the ball through to the unmarked striker inside the penalty area, but his strike from an acute angle ballooned over the bar.

But two late penalties saw the points shared, and Arsenal remain six points adrift of United after failing to take advantage of their game in hand.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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