Anfield stalemate keeps Blues flying
Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez and Watford’s Sebastian Prod get in a angle at The Emirates. DIEGO Costa saw a late penalty saved as Premier League leaders Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw at Liverpool.
Brazil defender David Luiz had earlier drilled in a freekick to catch out the Liverpool defence on 24 minutes as goalkeeper Simon Mignolet was still setting up the wall.
Anfield was, though, in full voice again after Georginio Wijnaldum headed an equaliser just before the hour.
With 15 minutes left, Costa went down in the box as he cut back inside Joel Matip, with referee Mark Clattenburg pointing to the spot. Mignolet, however, produced a fine save low down to his right.
Chelsea’s lead remains at 11 points after Arsenal lost and Tottenham failed to win.
Arsenal’s title ambitions took a blow after they were beaten 2-1 at home by Watford.
The Hornets took the lead on 10 minutes when a 25-yard free-kick from Younes Kaboul deflected off Aaron Ramsey and past goalkeeper Petr Cech into the bottom left corner.
Before Arsenal could mount a recovery, they were 2-0 down when Troy Deeney tapped in from close range after Etienne Capoue had burst forwards into the penalty area and seen his snapshot parried out by Cech.
Manager Arsene Wenger, who was again in the stands because of a touchline ban, sent on Theo Walcott for the second half to inject new life into the Arsenal attack and Alex Iwobi reduced the deficit on 59 minutes when he knocked in after being set up by Alexis Sanchez.
Substitute Lucas Perez smashed the ball against the crossbar late on but despite all of their pressure, the Gunners were unable to conjure an equaliser.
Sunderland battled to a goalless draw at home against Tottenham, which lifts David Moyes’ side off the bottom of the table above Hull, who are away to Manchester United on Wednesday night. Spurs move above Arsenal into second on goal difference.
Sam Allardyce secured his first league win as Crystal Palace manager with a 2-0 victory at Bournemouth.
The Eagles, who had lost five straight Premier League matches, went ahead at the start of the second half when Scott Dann converted at the far post.
Christian Benteke made sure of all three points with a header in the last minute.
Swansea kept themselves out of the relegation zone with a 2-1 home win over Southampton.
Defender Alfie Mawson headed the Swans into the lead seven minutes before the break.
Shane Long levelled for the Saints in the 57th minute but the Welsh club were back in front with 20 minutes left when Gyfli Sigurdsson finished off a swift counterattack.
Burnley beat Leicester 1-0 at Turf Moor with a late goal from Sam Vokes.
The Clarets announced the signing of Republic of Ireland midfielder Robbie Brady from Norwich in a club-record deal during the match.
And the home supporters had more reasons to celebrate as Wales forward Vokes volleyed in from close range with just four minutes left, although there was a hint of handball.
Middlesbrough and West Brom drew 1-1 at the Riverside Stadium.
James Morrison gave the Baggies an early lead when he scored against his former club on six minutes.
Alvaro Negredo equalised from the penalty spot on 17 minutes after the Spaniard had been brought down by Gareth McAuley, which proved enough for a share of the points.