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The draw gives Manchester United an eight-point lead at the top of the standings, but with one more game played than Chelsea. Man United has 44 points, followed by Chelsea with 36. Arsenal has 26 points.

Chelsea dominated the fast-paced game. Andriy Shevchenko’s curling shot in the 15th minute was saved by Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann and Michael Ballack’s long-range shot missed the far post a few minutes later. Soon after Lampard again hit the post but his weaker follow-up shot was caught by Lehmann.

Chelsea defender Ashley Cole was shown a yellow card for a tackle on Hleb midway through the first half.

Just before halftime, Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas cleared a shot by Essien off the line with Lehmann on the ground. Essien also headed the ball over the bar.

Arsenal’s best first-half chances were from Robin van Persie, who sent one shot wide and had another caught by Hilario.

Early in the 2^nd half Lampard’s free kick was headed over by Didier Drogba. Also Van Persie headed over and Emmanuel Adebayor sent a long-range shot wide while Fabregas put a tame shot straight to the arms of Hilario.

In 65^th min. Lehmann and Drogba were both shown yellow cards after the Arsenal goalkeeper pushed the Chelsea forward in the back and he fell.

But in 78^th min. Arsenal’s Mathieu Flamini received a pass from Alexander Hleb. And convert it into goal and put the arsenal ahead. But in 84th-minute Michael Essien leveled with an incredible long-range shot that went in off the inside of the post.

But during injury time there was a chance to lead. Essien hit the crossbar from right in front of goal, and Lampard then hit the post.