Post by Taxigirl on Oct 27, 2003 9:48:33 GMT
PUTS GUNNERS BACK ON TOP.
Arsenal are top of The Premiership by a single point after coming from a goal down at Charlton Athletic to draw 1-1 in a pulsating London derby clash.
Paolo Di Canio's first half penalty was cancelled out by a sublime Thierry Henry free kick in an entertaining match, as the points were shared on Sunday afternoon at The Valley.
Both sides enjoyed decent spells of early possession before Charlton were gifted a chance to take the lead when referee Steve Dunn adjudged Lauren to have brought down Matt Holland in the box.
It appeared the former Ipswich Town man may have pulled a dive, but Dunn thought the Cameroonian's challenge clumsy and promptly booked the player for his alleged indiscretion.
From the spot, Di Canio cheekily chipped his penalty past a diving Jens Lehmann to give Charlton a 1-0 lead.
The goal livened up the match and Arsenal's Henry was unlucky not to equalise when his left foot run and shot from the top of Charlton's box smacked off the far post, with Dean Kiely well beaten.
However, the French marksman would not be denied bringing The Gunners level with a curling right foot free kick strike after Scott Parker had bundled over Ray Parlour on the edge of Charlton's box.
Just before the break, The Addicks were forced to take off Di Canio after the Italian pulled a hamstring and replace him with Jason Euell before Henry nearly scored again with another set piece; his strike hitting the side netting.
The start of the second half saw plenty of good possession and endeavour from both sides before Euell and Hermann Hreidarsson went close with chances to restore Charlton's lead while Henry whistled a shot wide and Kanu forced a good close in save from Kiely.
Despite the very best efforts of both clubs, a winning goal failed to materialise in the end and a point was ultimately shared.
Arsenal are top of The Premiership by a single point after coming from a goal down at Charlton Athletic to draw 1-1 in a pulsating London derby clash.
Paolo Di Canio's first half penalty was cancelled out by a sublime Thierry Henry free kick in an entertaining match, as the points were shared on Sunday afternoon at The Valley.
Both sides enjoyed decent spells of early possession before Charlton were gifted a chance to take the lead when referee Steve Dunn adjudged Lauren to have brought down Matt Holland in the box.
It appeared the former Ipswich Town man may have pulled a dive, but Dunn thought the Cameroonian's challenge clumsy and promptly booked the player for his alleged indiscretion.
From the spot, Di Canio cheekily chipped his penalty past a diving Jens Lehmann to give Charlton a 1-0 lead.
The goal livened up the match and Arsenal's Henry was unlucky not to equalise when his left foot run and shot from the top of Charlton's box smacked off the far post, with Dean Kiely well beaten.
However, the French marksman would not be denied bringing The Gunners level with a curling right foot free kick strike after Scott Parker had bundled over Ray Parlour on the edge of Charlton's box.
Just before the break, The Addicks were forced to take off Di Canio after the Italian pulled a hamstring and replace him with Jason Euell before Henry nearly scored again with another set piece; his strike hitting the side netting.
The start of the second half saw plenty of good possession and endeavour from both sides before Euell and Hermann Hreidarsson went close with chances to restore Charlton's lead while Henry whistled a shot wide and Kanu forced a good close in save from Kiely.
Despite the very best efforts of both clubs, a winning goal failed to materialise in the end and a point was ultimately shared.
