Liverpool draw leaves City nine points adrift

Manchester City FC are nine points behind rivals Manchester United FC at the top of the Premier League after being held to a 2-2 draw at home by Liverpool FC.

The hosts took the lead on 23 minutes when James Milner forged a way to the byline and picked out Edin Džeko, allowing the Bosnian international to pounce from close range for his 11th goal of the campaign. Liverpool's January signing Daniel Sturridge, who began his career at City, then pulled the Reds level before the half-hour mark, slamming a shot into the bottom-right corner from outside the 'D'.

The momentum swung back and forth in an entertaining contest. It seemed fully behind the visitors on 73 minutes when Steven Gerrard arrowed a trademark long-distance strike beyond the reach of Joe Hart, but City were soon on level terms. Sergio Agüero produced an inventive finish from the acutest of angles after beating Pepe Reina to a diagonal ball, ensuring that both teams earned a second consecutive draw in the league.

Meanwhile, Gareth Bale's superb goal secured Tottenham Hotspur FC a slender 1-0 victory against West Bromwich Albion FC, who lost Goran Popov to a red card shortly after the break. The win was nonetheless marred for Spurs by an injury to striker Jermain Defoe.