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Page last updated at 16:54 GMT, Saturday, 27 March 2010   E-mail this to a friend  Printable version  Phillips pounced late on for the 250th goal of his club career By Sam Sheringham  **Birmingham substitute Kevin Phillips scored a stoppage-time equaliser as Arsenal's title challenge was blown off course in a bruising encounter.**The match came alive after an hour when Blues defender Roger Johnson hit the post and Scott Dann missed the rebound. The Gunners took the lead in the 81st minute when Samir Nasri fired into the far corner from the edge of the area. But deep into added-time, a Bacary Sagna clearance struck Phillips and flew through Manuel Almunia's hands. Phillips raced away in delight after the 250th goal of his impressive career, but he knew little about the strike which hit his head and was parried by Almunia before looping in. The goalkeeper's error will be a source of immense frustration to Gunners fans who have seen the Spaniard and his understudy Lukasz Fabianski make blunders in several key games this season. Wenger vows to fight on for title Arsenal had already missed a number of chances to kill the game, with Andriy Arshavin and Nasri both proving wasteful in a frantic finale. And the Gunners' disappointment was compounded by resounding wins for their title rivals Manchester United and Chelsea, who are now four and three points respectively clear of third-placed Arsenal. For Birmingham, it was another impressive point against one of the league's big guns, following home draws with United, Chelsea, Tottenham, Everton and Manchester City. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was roundly booed before kick-off, following his pre-match comments over the Martin Taylor challenge which broke Eduardo's leg on Arsenal's last visit to the ground two years ago. With Croatian striker Eduardo on the bench, Arsenal made a confident start and carved out the game's first opening when Tomas Rosicky found space down the left and crossed low for Abou Diaby, whose goal-bound shot was deflected wide by Lee Bowyer at the near post. The Gunners were typically neat in possession and went close again when a clever chip forward by Fabregas was chased down by Theo Walcott. The winger capitalised on a stumble by Dann, but could only stab a weak shot straight at the advancing Joe Hart.  606: DEBATE I have finally had it with Manuel 'The Seal Impersonator' Almunia RuiCostaJr Cameron Jerome, with four goals in his previous four games, posed Birmingham's main threat. He had a long-range shot tipped around the post by Almunia before skipping inside Sol Campbell and prodding a shot straight at the keeper. Arsenal suffered an injury scare ahead of Wednesday night's visit of Barcelona when captain Fabregas went down under a late challenge from Craig Gardner and required treatment to his right knee before soldiering on. Meanwhile, there was plenty of action off the field with a number of verbal spats between Wenger and his Birmingham counterpart Alex McLeish. The Arsenal manager and his number two Pat Rice were both involved in lengthy exchanges with the fourth official. In the second half, Arsenal again started more brightly and could have taken the lead when Diaby shot straight at Hart from the edge of the area after being fed by Rosicky. Shortly afterwards, the Gunners had a massive escape as a Birmingham free-kick from the middle of the park found Johnson at the far post. His volleyed effort struck the far post and deflected into the path of Dann, who kneed the ball over the bar from a yard out. 'Wonderful' display delights McLeish Wenger made a double change midway through the half with Nasri and Arshavin replacing Rosicky and Walcott. And the substitutes almost combined for the game's opening goal as Arshavin's clever cut-back found Nasri in space, but the Frenchman's weak shot failed to trouble Hart. Nasri made amends with a strike of real quality. He picked up the ball 40 yards out and charged to the edge of the box before unleashing a right-footed strike into the far corner. With Birmingham pushing for an equaliser, gaps were opening up at the back and Arshavin should have done better when presented with a clear opening. But the Gunners paid the ultimate penalty as a Hart free-kick was only half-cleared, allowing Craig Garder to clip the ball back into the box. Phillips battled for the ball with Sagna, whose clearance struck the striker in the face and beat the bemused keeper for a dramatic late equaliser. Live text and stats Saturday, 27 March 2010 Premier League Home Team Score Away Team Time Birmingham 1-1 Arsenal FT (HT 0-0) Phillips 90+2 Nasri 81 Birmingham 25 Hart 02 Carr yellow card 06 Ridgewell 14 Johnson 15 Dann 04 Bowyer 12 Ferguson yellow card 18 Fahey (Phillips 83) 33 Gardner yellow card 10 Jerome 16 McFadden (Benitez 76) Substitutes 01 Taylor, 21 Parnaby, 27 Gregory Vignal, 07 Larsson, 17 Marcos Madera, 09 Phillips, 11 Benitez Arsenal 01 Almunia 03 Sagna 22 Clichy yellow card 31 Campbell 02 Diaby 04 Fabregas 07 Rosicky (Arshavin 68) 14 Walcott (Nasri 68) 15 Denilson 17 Song Billong yellow card 52 Bendtner Substitutes 21 Fabianski, 27 Eboue, 30 Traore, 08 Nasri, 23 Arshavin, 09 Eduardo, 12 Vela Ref: WebbAtt: 27,039 BIRMINGHAM ARSENAL Possession Birmingham 46% Arsenal 54% Attempts on target Birmingham 3 Arsenal 8 Attempts off target Birmingham 4 Arsenal 5 Corners Birmingham 3 Arsenal 6 Fouls Birmingham 13 Arsenal 13 Final Result 93:56 The referee ends the match. Full Time 90:00+1:01 Craig Gardner provided the assist for the goal. 90:00+1:01 GOAL - Kevin Phillips:Birmingham 1 - 1 Arsenal Kevin Phillips finds the net with a goal from inside the box high into the middle of the goal. Birmingham 1-1 Arsenal. 90:00+0:36 Unfair challenge on Scott Dann by Andrey Arshavin results in a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Joe Hart. 88:59 Andrey Arshavin has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the goal. 88:09 Francesc Fabregas fires a strike on goal direct from the free kick, Joe Hart makes a save. 88:09 Booking Stephen Carr booked. 87:55 Foul by Stephen Carr on Andrey Arshavin, free kick awarded. 85:15 Samir Nasri gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Barry Ferguson. Joe Hart takes the indirect free kick, Effort from just outside the area by Lee Bowyer goes over the bar. 84:16 Francesc Fabregas restarts play with the free kick. 84:16 Booking Craig Gardner receives a yellow card for unsporting behaviour. 84:02 Foul by Craig Gardner on Vassiriki Diaby, free kick awarded. 82:57 Substitution Kevin Phillips on for Keith Fahey. 82:33 Neves Denilson takes a shot. Blocked by Roger Johnson. Correction - 80:13 The assist for the goal came from Gael Clichy. 80:13 Assist by Sol Campbell. 80:13 GOAL - Samir Nasri:Birmingham 0 - 1 Arsenal A goal is scored by Samir Nasri from just outside the box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Birmingham 0-1 Arsenal. 79:48 Corner taken by Samir Nasri, Roger Johnson makes a clearance. 79:40 Francesc Fabregas delivers the ball, clearance by Keith Fahey. 76:50 The referee blows for offside. Joe Hart takes the free kick. 75:10 Indirect free kick taken by Joe Hart. 75:10 Substitution Christian Benitez comes on in place of James McFadden. 75:10 Unfair challenge on Barry Ferguson by Vassiriki Diaby results in a free kick. 74:07 A cross is delivered by Bacary Sagna, Stephen Carr manages to make a clearance. 74:01 Gael Clichy sends in a cross. 72:37 Booking Barry Ferguson booked. 72:04 Samir Nasri takes a shot. Save by Joe Hart. 70:24 The ball is crossed by Samir Nasri. 69:09 The ball is delivered by Bacary Sagna, Headed effort from close range by Nicklas Bendtner goes wide left of the target. 67:20 Free kick crossed by Francesc Fabregas, clearance by Lee Bowyer. 67:20 Substitution Andrey Arshavin joins the action as a substitute, replacing Tomas Rosicky. 67:20 Substitution Samir Nasri replaces Theo Walcott. 67:20 Barry Ferguson challenges Tomas Rosicky unfairly and gives away a free kick. 66:08 Gael Clichy delivers the ball, clearance made by Scott Dann. 64:47 The referee blows for offside against Nicklas Bendtner. Joe Hart takes the indirect free kick. 62:55 Shot by Tomas Rosicky from outside the box goes high over the target. 62:01 Lee Bowyer concedes a free kick for a foul on Theo Walcott. Francesc Fabregas crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from right wing, Roger Johnson makes a clearance. 61:11 Roger Johnson has an effort at goal from close in that hits the post. 60:24 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Craig Gardner by Neves Denilson. Indirect free kick taken by Barry Ferguson. 58:58 Theo Walcott takes a corner. 58:44 Bacary Sagna sends in a cross, Lee Bowyer gets a block in. 57:56 The offside flag is raised against Cameron Jerome. Manuel Almunia takes the free kick. 57:22 Craig Gardner is penalised for handball and concedes a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Manuel Almunia. 56:20 Gael Clichy crosses the ball, save made by Joe Hart. 55:49 James McFadden concedes a free kick for a foul on Alex Song. Gael Clichy takes the free kick. 54:23 Vassiriki Diaby takes a shot. Joe Hart makes a save. 54:02 Keith Fahey gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Alex Song. Indirect free kick taken by Alex Song. 53:25 The referee blows for offside against Nicklas Bendtner. Joe Hart restarts play with the free kick. Correction - 52:06 Craig Gardner gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Tomas Rosicky. Francesc Fabregas crosses the ball in from the free kick. 52:06 Craig Gardner gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Tomas Rosicky. Francesc Fabregas delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from left channel, clearance made by Lee Bowyer. 51:16 The official flags James McFadden offside. Manuel Almunia restarts play with the free kick. 50:46 The ball is swung over by Craig Gardner, comfortable save by Manuel Almunia. 48:48 Roger Johnson is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Manuel Almunia takes the free kick. 47:56 James McFadden takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line to the near post, Alex Song makes a clearance. 46:24 Alex Song fouled by Craig Gardner, the ref awards a free kick. Manuel Almunia restarts play with the free kick. 45:53 Tomas Rosicky takes a shot. Save by Joe Hart. 45:01 The referee starts the second half. Half Time 45:00+1:06 The referee calls an end to the first half. 45:00+0:15 The ball is sent over by Craig Gardner. 44:18 Gael Clichy produces a cross, Scott Dann makes a clearance. 44:05 The ball is sent over by Francesc Fabregas. 42:40 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Tomas Rosicky by Stephen Carr. Gael Clichy delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from left wing, save made by Joe Hart. 42:08 The referee blows for offside. Free kick taken by Manuel Almunia. 41:11 The ball is crossed by Bacary Sagna. 40:41 The ball is delivered by Lee Bowyer, Alex Song manages to make a clearance. 39:43 Gael Clichy concedes a free kick for a foul on James McFadden. Free kick crossed by Craig Gardner, Alex Song makes a clearance. 39:29 Theo Walcott takes a shot. Save by Joe Hart. 39:24 Bacary Sagna produces a cross, Scott Dann manages to make a clearance. 38:44 Theo Walcott produces a cross, Scott Dann makes a clearance. 36:49 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Nicklas Bendtner by Roger Johnson. Indirect free kick taken by Nicklas Bendtner. 34:11 The ball is crossed by Gael Clichy, save by Joe Hart. 33:17 The ball is sent over by Craig Gardner. 32:34 The ball is delivered by Liam Ridgewell. 31:34 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Keith Fahey from the left by-line, Tomas Rosicky manages to make a clearance. 31:03 Inswinging corner taken by Keith Fahey from the left by-line. 30:52 Cameron Jerome takes a shot. Save by Manuel Almunia. 30:37 James McFadden takes a shot. Save made by Manuel Almunia. 29:53 Gael Clichy takes a shot. Joe Hart makes a comfortable save. 26:33 Cameron Jerome challenges Gael Clichy unfairly and gives away a free kick. Manuel Almunia restarts play with the free kick. 25:32 Francesc Fabregas concedes a free kick for a foul on Lee Bowyer. Indirect free kick taken by Stephen Carr. 24:03 The free kick is swung in left-footed by James McFadden. 24:03 Booking Gael Clichy is cautioned. 23:54 Foul by Gael Clichy on Craig Gardner, free kick awarded. 23:01 Outswinging corner taken by Francesc Fabregas from the right by-line, Sol Campbell has a headed effort from close range and clears the crossbar. 22:44 Francesc Fabregas takes a outswinging corner to the near post, Roger Johnson manages to make a clearance. 22:31 The ball is crossed by Bacary Sagna, Roger Johnson gets a block in. 21:51 Bacary Sagna takes a shot. Blocked by Scott Dann. 21:43 A cross is delivered by Francesc Fabregas, Roger Johnson makes a clearance. 16:43 Vassiriki Diaby concedes a free kick for a foul on Roger Johnson. Joe Hart takes the indirect free kick. 15:38 Free kick crossed left-footed by James McFadden. 15:38 Booking Alex Song goes into the referee's book. 15:32 Unfair challenge on James McFadden by Alex Song results in a free kick. 14:24 Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Francesc Fabregas from the right by-line, Scott Dann manages to make a clearance. 13:14 Barry Ferguson fouled by Vassiriki Diaby, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Barry Ferguson. 12:49 Bacary Sagna crosses the ball, Roger Johnson makes a clearance. 12:08 Long range shot by James McFadden goes wide right of the goal. 11:18 Free kick awarded for a foul by Lee Bowyer on Theo Walcott. Free kick taken by Manuel Almunia. 9:05 Craig Gardner produces a left-footed shot from just outside the area that goes harmlessly over the bar. 8:14 Tomas Rosicky gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Lee Bowyer. Free kick crossed by James McFadden, clearance by Neves Denilson. 7:20 Free kick awarded for a foul by Sol Campbell on Cameron Jerome. Free kick crossed left-footed by James McFadden from left wing, Vassiriki Diaby makes a clearance. 4:04 Free kick awarded for a foul by Stephen Carr on Tomas Rosicky. Gael Clichy takes the free kick. 3:36 Liam Ridgewell is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Indirect free kick taken by Manuel Almunia. 2:52 Foul by Vassiriki Diaby on Cameron Jerome, free kick awarded. Barry Ferguson delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from left channel. 2:04 Corner from the left by-line taken by Francesc Fabregas, Joe Hart makes a save. 1:55 The ball is crossed by Tomas Rosicky, clearance made by Lee Bowyer. 1:12 Cameron Jerome is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Indirect free kick taken by Manuel Almunia. 0:00 The referee gets the game underway. Live text and data provided by The Press Association. Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version Print Sponsor Premier League results 27 Mar 2010 23:59 UK Birmingham1-1ArsenalFT Bolton0-4Man UtdFT Chelsea7-1Aston VillaFT Hull2-0FulhamFT Tottenham2-0PortsmouthFT West Ham0-1StokeFT Wolves0-0EvertonFT Premier League table snapshot As it stood on 27 Mar 2010 23:59 UK Position Team P GD PTS 1 Man Utd 32 51 72 2 Chelsea 32 53 71 3 Arsenal 32 40 68 4 Tottenham 31 28 58 5 Man City 30 16 53 6 Liverpool 31 18 51 7 Aston Villa 31 11 51 8 Everton 32 8 49 9 Birmingham 32 -4 45 10 Stoke 31 -5 39 11 Fulham 31 -3 38 12 Blackburn 31 -16 38 13 Sunderland 31 -6 35 14 Wolves 32 -22 32 15 Bolton 32 -24 32 16 Wigan 31 -30 31 17 West Ham 32 -17 27 18 Hull 31 -33 27 19 Burnley 31 -33 24 20 Portsmouth 32 -32 13 |