England round-up: Derby draw suits Arsenal

Arsenal FC consolidated their lead in the English Premiership thanks to an equalising penalty in their north London derby at Tottenham Hotspur FC.

Ziege free-kick
Champions Arsenal beat Tottenham 3-0 four weeks ago, but this was a much closer affair controlled for much of the match by the home team. Christian Ziege gave Tottenham the lead on eleven minutes with a long-range free-kick which David Seaman, on his Premiership return from injury in the Arsenal goal, failed to get a hand to.

Pires penalty
But Robert Pires levelled matters on the stroke of half-time from the penalty spot after home goalkeeper Kasey Keller brought down Thierry Henry. Spurs missed several chances to win the game, Robbie Keane seeing two efforts cleared off the line by Ashley Cole, and Seaman produced a fine performance to salvage a draw which leaves Arsenal a point ahead of Manchester United FC.

Wenger satisfied
Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger said: "I am satisfied with a draw. We had a shaky first 30 minutes and you just hope you do not concede two goals. But we have had three tough games in a week and I am happy with the reaction of the players." His Tottenham counterpart, Glenn Hoddle, added: "I am proud of the way we played, but with clinical finishing and more luck we could have run out good winners."

Sunderland stun Liverpool
Liverpool FC remain in fifth, behind city neighbours Everton FC, after their winless run stretched to six games with a 2-1 defeat at Sunderland AFC. Struggling Sunderland went ahead on 36 minutes through Gavin McCann, only their ninth league goal of the season, but the same player missed a chance to double their lead on the hour when Chris Kirkland saved his penalty following a Jamie Carragher handball.

Proctor clincher
Eight minutes later Liverpool took full advantage as Milan Baroš broke through the Sunderland defence to equalise. But with five minutes left Michael Proctor restored the home team's lead, to move them out of the relegation zone.

Ten men win
Birmingham City FC moved away from the relegation zone and leapfrogged Fulham FC in the table after their 1-0 victory in London. American striker Jovan Kirovski curled the decisive shot past Fulham goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar after good link-up play with Clinton Morrison on seven minutes. Although visiting captain Darren Purse was dismissed for two bookable offences 20 minutes from time, his side held on to win.