Wolves stop Arsenal, Hotspur holds title hope
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Xinhua, December 28, 2011
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Arsenal's Robin Van Persie reacted after missing a chance during an English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Wolves at the Emirates Stadium in London, Britain, 27 December 2011. |
In-form goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey inspired Wolves to fight back in a 1-1 draw at Arsenal on Tuesday while Tottenham Hotspur maintained the Premier League's title hope after brace-scoring Gareth Bale gifted them a late 2-0 victory over Norwich.
The host side Arsenal should have gained a big victory with their eighth-minute dream start. Yossi Benayoun's pinpoint through pass sent Yao Gervinho free in front of the area. Then the Cote d'Ivoire striker made a cool finish for the Gunners after flashing past the visitor's keeper in the deft footwork. However, the low-profile Wolves refused to give up and levelled the score after 30 minutes when Steven Fletcher headed Stephen Hunt's deflected shot to the net.
Arsenal, who dominated the second half, was desperate to a win especially after league rivals Chelsea, Livepool and Manchester City were all upset in draws on Boxing Day. But the gunners were frustrated by Wolves' No.1 who was nearly invincible after conceding the early goal. The Wales goalkeeper regularly denied the host's dangerous shots one after another, earning his relegation-threatened side a valuable point.
But for Arsenal, the result meant they wasted a best chance to climb onto the league's top four. After 18 games, Arsenal still stood fifth after Chelsea with one point less. Man City and United, both on 45 points, led the table with big advantages.
Tottenham Hotspur, with one game in hand, narrowed the gap within seven points of the top and consolidated its third place after tonight's away victory.
The Welsh winger Bale scored twice in the second half after a dominating 64 percent possession of Hotspur. Playmaker Luka Modric also contributed a lot to the critical victory with his excellent ability of holding position and creating space in the midfield battle.
Also on Tuesday, the visiting Queens Park Rangers fought back to a 1-1 draw at Swansea, ending a lately sequence of three defeats.
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