Birmingham hold Arsenal with late penalty

Share:

February 23, 2008 21:26 IST

Premier League leaders Arsenal suffered a double blow at Birmingham City on Saturday when they were held to a 2-2 draw and lost striker Eduardo da Silva to a terrible leg injury.

- Dempo win I-League

James McFadden equalised for Birmingham with a penalty five minutes into stoppage time after Theo Walcott's first league goals for Arsenal early in the second half had put his team 2-1 ahead and on course for an eight-point lead in the title race.

The match was overshadowed by the third-minute tackle by Martin Taylor that left Eduardo with a broken left leg. The Brazilian-born Croatia international needed eight minutes of treatment before being taken to hospital.

Taylor was shown a straight red card for the tackle.

Ten-man Birmingham took the lead after 28 minutes when McFadden was fouled on the edge of the box by Mathieu Flamini and the Scotland striker curled in a glorious free kick.

Manchester United can close the gap to three points in their late kickoff at Newcastle United. In other matches Liverpool host Middlesbrough and Portsmouth face Sunderland.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Share: