Fourth draw in a row sees Arsenal knocked off top

Published on Saturday 15 March 2008 21:35

ARSENAL drew for the fourth successive league match and were knocked off the top of the table after failing to beat Middlesbrough at the Emirates Stadium.

Boro led from 25 minutes through former Gunner Jeremie Aliadiere. Kolo Toure equalised four minutes from time with a header which came off Boro defender Matthew Taylor. Boro finished with ten men after Mido was sent off for a high tackle on Gael Clichy.

John Terry gave Chelsea a 1-0 victory at Sunderland as Avram Grant's side kept the pressure up on the top two. Frank Lampard delivered a dangerous inswinging corner from the left which the Chelsea captain

headed through a crowd of players and past Black Cats goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

Fernando Torres' 20th league goal of the season helped Liverpool consolidate fourth place in the table with a 2-1 win over Reading.

Reading midfielder Marek Matejovsky broke the deadlock in the fifth minute at Anfield when he lashed a half-volley past Jose Reina. But Javier Mascherano equalised in equally spectacular fashion with his first goal in a Liverpool shirt.

An 11th-minute strike from Jermain Defoe and a Nigel Reo-Coker own-goal gave Portsmouth a 2-0 win over Aston Villa.

Fred Sears headed a dramatic winner nine minutes from time on his debut to give West Ham a 2-1 home victory over Blackburn.

Roque Santa Cruz gave Mark Hughes' side the lead in the 19th minute when he glanced a header from a Morten Gamst Pedersen cross past Robert Green. But Dean Ashton equalised in the 39th minute.

Sears replaced Nolberto Solano in the 75th minute and six minutes later saw his shot from 12 yards out saved by Brad Friedel, but was able to nod the rebound home.