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Man Utd lose ground on leaders Liverpool as Barthez blunders again
( 2001-11-26 09:08 ) (7 )

A nightmare performance by Manchester United goalkeeper Fabien Barthez handed Arsenal a dramatic 3-1 win at Highbury on Sunday and moved the Gunners up to third in the Premiership.

Earlier in the day Liverpool had German international Dietmar Hamann sent off for a two-footed tackle but the Merseysiders still edged Sunderland 1-0 at Anfield to stay top of the table.

At Elland Road title hopefuls Leeds dropped valuable points by drawing 1-1 against Aston Villa and remain second, two points behind Liverpool.

Elsewhere, Middlesbrough were held to a goalless draw at home to bottom club Ipswich.

In a compelling contest at Highbury, United took a 14th-minute lead through Paul Scholes' close-range effort but three minutes into a rain-soaked second hald Sweden international Freddy Ljungberg levelled with a delicate chip.

Alex Ferguson's men appeared to be heading for a creditable draw until Barthez, whose errors have already cost United dear this season, messed up.

With 10 minutes to play the France international's poorly kicked clearance landed at the feet of his compatriot and international teammate Thierry Henry who rolled the ball past Barthez and into the net.

Worse was to come for bungling Barthez when he came rushing from his goalline to collect a Patrick Vieira through ball meant for Henry five minutes from time.

The shaven-headed shot-stopper took his eye off the ball and spilled it to Henry who gratefully tucked home his second and Arsenal's third.

The Arsenal crowd taunted the United goalkeeper in the closing stages by chanting "Give it to Barthez," as France's World Cup winner hung his head in shame.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had words of consolation for Barthez who despite his eccentricities is still regarded as the world's best 'keeper.

"It happens to every 'keeper but Barthez is still world-class," he said. "Thankfully we were able to take advantage of that."

The Arsenal boss said his new-look side are coming of age with youngsters Ashley Cole, Matthew Upson and rookie goalkeeper Stuart Taylor all performing well against the reigning Premiership champions.

"I'm very happy," said Wenger. "They are growing from game to game. We took a lot of criticism at the beginning of the season but we are beginning to settle down now.

"They've shown great character and you need that if you are going to win a championship."

Henry was surprised by Barthez's generosity which gifted him Arsenal's second goal.

"I didn't expect anything from Fabien but my mind was always switched on and thankfully the ball came to me," he said.

Defeat for United, their fourth in the Premiership this season, leaves them in sixth position, five points behind table-toppers Liverpool who have a game in hand.

Emile Heskey scored Liverpool's winner after 22 minutes at Anfield, his first goal in 20 games, to settle a fiercely competitive match which produced few clear-cut chances.

Heskey, who last found the net on September 1 in England's dramatic 5-1 win over Germany, met Danny Murphy's inswinging free-kick with a powerful downward header which flashed past Sunderland goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen.

A minute before half time Liverpool were reduced to 10 men, Hamann receiving his marching orders for an X-rated challenge on Bernt Haas.

Referee Steve Bennett brushed aside claims that the German had gone for the ball and pulled out the red card.

Sunderland, who had managed to draw on their last three visits to Anfield, enjoyed the lion's share of possession in the second half but could not break down a stubborn Liverpool defence.

Even though the performance was poor, Heskey was delighted to snatch all three points with a man down.

"It's definitely a good result," he said. "The lads had to dig deep today, but we're capable of doing that and we have shown it today.

"We were happy to sit back a little bit with only having 10 men, but to be honest we pushed forward as much as we could and it showed as we created some more chances."

Substitute Gary McAllister should have added a second goal after 67 minutes when Vladimir Smicer cut the ball back from the by-line but with just Sorensen to beat the former Scottish international blasted wide from 10 yards.

Liverpool lacked a cutting edge up front and Michael Owen, out through injury, seemed sorely missed.

The 21-year-old England star, three short of his century of goals for the club, was not risked after suffering cramp in training.

Alan Smith was Leeds' first-half hero and villain as the 21-year-old's second goal in two games, in the 18th minute, was immediately overshadowed by his fifth red card in two years.

Smith can now expect a three-match ban after his elbow on Turkey international Ozalan Alpay just 15 minutes after deservedly firing Leeds in front.

Villa instantly made Leeds pay for Smith's wayward ways with Hassan Kachloul firing home a spectacular equaliser 10 minutes before the break.