jelly123
03-16-2008, 07:53 AM
Some quality saves by Middlesbrough's Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer helped hold Arsenal to a 1-1 draw and stop the north London giants clinching the English Premier League's top spot.
Arsenal, who had a goal from Emmanuel Adebayor ruled out in the opening minutes of play, dropped behind when Jeremie Aliadiere took great delight in scoring against his former club just before the half-hour mark.
After a free-kick from Schwarzer deep in his own half, Tuncay Sanli broke clear of the Arsenal defence to fire off a half-volley cross to Aliadiere to knock high into the net.
Arsenal's best chance to score in the first half came when Emmanuel Eboue tried to fire home a shot from close range but watched as it deflected off Schwarzer's arms.
A brilliant save by the Australian in the second half also stopped Cesc Fabregas from bringing the Gunners level.
Arsenal finally equalised five minutes from time thanks to a late header by Kolo Toure off a corner from Fabregas.
The result allowed Arsenal's bitter rivals Manchester United, who beat Derby 1-0, to grab the Premiership's number one position.
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate was full of praise for his players.
"Arsenal are a fantastic team but the character my players have shown this week is incredible," he told the BBC.
"To give that sort of effort and commitment was brilliant.
"They have played ever so well, scored a fantastic goal and just dug in and managed to find the energy to hang on."
Elsewhere, West Ham's Australian captain Lucas Neill led his side to a 2-1 home victory against fellow Socceroos team-mate Brett Emerton's Blackburn Rovers.
In the Netherlands, Socceroos midfielder Luke Wilkshire was handed a yellow card in the final moments of Twente Enschede's 4-3 win over Vitesse Arnhem.
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/upload_media/images/pjpeg/mark300_1205638064.jpg
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/aussies-abroad/schwarzer-keeps-gunners-in-check-108325/
Arsenal, who had a goal from Emmanuel Adebayor ruled out in the opening minutes of play, dropped behind when Jeremie Aliadiere took great delight in scoring against his former club just before the half-hour mark.
After a free-kick from Schwarzer deep in his own half, Tuncay Sanli broke clear of the Arsenal defence to fire off a half-volley cross to Aliadiere to knock high into the net.
Arsenal's best chance to score in the first half came when Emmanuel Eboue tried to fire home a shot from close range but watched as it deflected off Schwarzer's arms.
A brilliant save by the Australian in the second half also stopped Cesc Fabregas from bringing the Gunners level.
Arsenal finally equalised five minutes from time thanks to a late header by Kolo Toure off a corner from Fabregas.
The result allowed Arsenal's bitter rivals Manchester United, who beat Derby 1-0, to grab the Premiership's number one position.
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate was full of praise for his players.
"Arsenal are a fantastic team but the character my players have shown this week is incredible," he told the BBC.
"To give that sort of effort and commitment was brilliant.
"They have played ever so well, scored a fantastic goal and just dug in and managed to find the energy to hang on."
Elsewhere, West Ham's Australian captain Lucas Neill led his side to a 2-1 home victory against fellow Socceroos team-mate Brett Emerton's Blackburn Rovers.
In the Netherlands, Socceroos midfielder Luke Wilkshire was handed a yellow card in the final moments of Twente Enschede's 4-3 win over Vitesse Arnhem.
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/upload_media/images/pjpeg/mark300_1205638064.jpg
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/aussies-abroad/schwarzer-keeps-gunners-in-check-108325/