By DPA
London : Arsenal missed the chance to go six points clear at the top of the English Premier League as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Newcastle United.
Emmanuel Adebayor volleyed Arsenal ahead in the fourth minute Wednesday, but Steven Taylor equalized on the hour mark to give Newcastle a well-earned point.
The point still extended Arsenal’s lead over Manchester United at the top to four points, while Newcastle remain in 11th spot.
Arsenal went into the game without Cesc Fabregas, Alexander Hleb and Mathieu Flamini, but it looked like business as usual when Adebayor chested down Emmanuel Eboue’s cross and volleyed the ball past Shay Given.
But Newcastle, who had earned just one point from their previous five games, fought well and survived until half-time, even without the continued absence of Michael Owen.
And when defender Taylor slotted the ball in off the post after 60 minutes, Newcastle were level.
If anything, the home side had the better chances to win it late on, but they settled for a hard-earned point to stop Arsenal going three points further clear at the top.
Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce, whose job has reportedly been in danger this week, was delighted with his side’s display but thought they could have won it.
“I feel very unlucky not to have won the game because we had the chances and could not find the finish,” he said.
“We pursued an equaliser and then pursued a winner for the entire 45 minutes.
“I think we’ve lost the last two home games poorly and it was difficult to take for us all. I didn’t want to see confidence ebb away. I then saw a performance at Blackburn but not a result, tonight I’ve seen a performance and a result.”