Liverpool dent Arsenal aspirations

Arsenal FC's Premier League title aspirations suffered another blow as they were held 1-1 at home by Liverpool FC for the second time in four days, while Portsmouth FC reached the FA Cup final for the first time since 1939.

Widespread changes
With the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final having finished level on Wednesday night, both managers made a host of changes. Initially it appeared Liverpool boss Rafael Benítez had got the mix right as Peter Crouch produced a fine finish to break the deadlock three minutes before half-time and, although Nicklas Bendtner headed Arsenal level nine minutes into the second period, Wenger's side were unable to find a winner. The London club are now five points behind leaders Manchester United FC having played a game more and only have five matches left.

Chelsea challenging
Elsewhere, Chelsea moved to within two points of United with a 2-0 win at Manchester City FC thanks to a sixth-minute Richard Dunne own goal and Salomon Kalou's effort eight minutes into the second half. That defeat severely dented City's UEFA Cup qualification hopes and Aston Villa FC took advantage with a 4-0 defeat of relegation-threatened Bolton Wanderers FC, Gareth Barry scoring twice either side of a Gabriel Agbonlahor goal and Marlon Harewood rounded things off late on. The win took Villa into seventh above Blackburn Rovers FC who could only draw 1-1 at home to Tottenham Hotspur FC.

Newcastle revival
Newcastle United FC's mini-revival continued with a 3-0 home win against Reading FC. Obafemi Martins opened the scoring after 18 minutes and Michael Owen (43) and Mark Viduka (58) also struck. At the bottom of the table, there were crucial wins for Wigan Athletic FC, 2-0 victors against Birmingham City FC, and Sunderland AFC who won 3-1 at Fulham FC. 

Portsmouth delight
At Wembley Stadium, meanwhile, the sole Premier League representatives left in the FA Cup, Portsmouth, held off the challenge of Championship side West Bromwich Albion FC to reach their first final for 69 years. Former West Brom striker Nwanko Kanu scored the only goal of the semi-final nine minutes into the second period. Two more Championship clubs, Barnsley FC and Cardiff City FC, contest the second semi-final on Sunday afternoon.