Arshavin hits four in epic Anfield encounter
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Article summary
Andrei Arshavin was in scintillating form, scoring all of Arsenal FC's goals as the UEFA Champions League semi-finalists delivered a significant blow to Liverpool FC's title ambitions with a topsy-turvy 4-4 draw on Merseyside.
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Andrei Arshavin scored all four of Arsenal FC's goals as the UEFA Champions League contenders dealt Liverpool FC's title hopes a blow by drawing 4-4 in an absorbing Premier League encounter at Anfield.
Kuyt assists
Desperate for a pick-me-up following their FA Cup semi-final defeat by Chelsea FC on Saturday, Arsenal went ahead nine minutes before half-time when Arshavin fired Cesc Fàbregas's cut-back in off the underside of the crossbar. Liverpool equalised four minutes after the break, Fernando Torres heading in Dirk Kuyt's cross, and were ahead before the hour when Yossi Benayoun nodded in another delivery from Kuyt.
Arshavin haul
Arshavin (67) drew Arsenal level when he seized on Álvaro Arbeloa's hesitancy on the edge of the penalty area to power a shot past Pepe Reina, and completed his hat-trick three minutes later when he punished a miscued clearance from Fábio Aurélio. The tempo was unrelenting and it was was not long before Liverpool were back level thanks to Torres's second of the night. With the game drifting into added time, Arshavin finished off a blistering counterattack led by Theo Walcott but, just when it looked like Arsène Wenger's side would become the first team to win a Premier League game at Anfield this term, Benayoun fired in from close range.
Wednesday matches
The goal lifted Liverpool to the top of the table on goal difference above Manchester United FC, who play one of their two games in hand at home to Portsmouth FC on Wednesday. Third-placed Chelsea FC host fellow FA Cup finalists Everton FC in the night's other fixture.