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| Sunday, November 17, 2002 18:09 EST |
Liverpool, Sunderland end in draw
[Reuters]
LONDON -- Liverpool missed out on the chance to return to the top of the English Premier League when it was held to a 0-0 draw at home by Sunderland on Sunday.
Second-place Liverpool closed to within one point of leader Arsenal, which went back to the top with its 3-0 win over north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
In Sunday's other games, Everton continued its impressive run with a 1-0 win at Blackburn Rovers to stay fourth, and Bolton Wanderers moved off the bottom with a 4-2 victory at Leeds United.
West Ham United drew 1-1 at home to Manchester United, striker Jermain Defoe grabbing a late equalizer for the Hammers to cancel out Ruud van Nistelrooy's first-half goal, while Birmingham City drew 0-0 against nine-man Fulham.
It was the third disappointing result in a week for Liverpool following a 1-0 defeat at Middlesbrough, its first Premier League loss of the season, and Tuesday's 3-3 draw in
Basel that eliminated it from the Champions League.
Manager Gerard Houllier was, however, happy with his team.
"I'm very pleased and proud with the effort of my players after the disappointment in Basel," he told Sky Sports television.
"The energy and effort was something special but we lacked composure around the box. I thought today we deserved to win."
Liverpool dominated the first half with 13 attempts on goal, including a header from England striker Michael Owen that was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Juergen Macho.
The home side continued to press after the break and created a string of chances, but Macho was inspired and defender George McCartney headed an Owen effort off the line with six minutes left.
Sunderland, which continued its improved form under new manager Howard Wilkinson, remained 17th in the standings.
Manchester United, without injured England internationals David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville, looked on course for its second away league win of the season when Van Nistelrooy put it ahead with a neat finish after 37 minutes.
But Defoe struck from close range four minutes from the end and West Ham goalkeeper David James made two fine saves in injury time to earn his side a point.
"It was a really good performance, we defended terrifically well all game even for their goal which was clearly offside," United manager Alex Ferguson said.
"It is always a tough and interesting game here at West Ham and they deserved their point at the end of the day because they play the game in the right way," added Ferguson.
Manchester United stayed fifth in the table, while West Ham remained 19th, one place above West Bromwich Albion, which drew 0-0 with Aston Villa on Saturday.
Everton's victory at Blackburn was sealed by a 19th-minute Kevin Campbell strike, former England striker Andy Cole missing the hosts' best chance .
Bolton stunned Leeds at Elland Road, taking the lead through Henrik Pedersen after three minutes.
Leeds striker Alan Smith, fresh from four goals in the UEFA Cup on Thursday, equalized almost immediately, but second-half efforts from Youri Djorkaeff, Michael Ricketts with a penalty and Pedersen secured Bolton's third league win of the season.
Harry Kewell claimed Leeds' second equalizer of the game in between, but Terry Venables's team remained 10th in the table after its fourth straight home defeat.
Birmingham ground out a valuable point against Fulham in their battle for survival, but should have won the game after the west London club had defender Rufus Brevett and striker Steve Marlet sent off.
Brevett was shown the red card in the first half for deliberate handball, but Birmingham striker Stern John missed the resulting spot kick and the host failed to take advantage
of Marlet's late dismissal for violent play.
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