Arsenal lose top spot

Arsenal 1 Middlesbrough 1: Kolo Toure's late header rescued a point for Arsenal against Middlesbrough at Emirates Stadium, but it was not enough to send the Gunners back to the top of the Premier League.

After Manchester United beat bottom club Derby 1-0 earlier this afternoon, Arsene Wenger's men knew only victory in the day's late kick-off would be good enough to remain ahead in the title race.

However, a goal from Jeremie Aliadiere against his old club in the 25th minute looked to be sending them to defeat following a determined defensive display by the visitors.

However, Toure nodded in with just four minutes left to earn a share of the spoils. Boro finished the game with 10 men when substitute Mido was sent off for a high kick on Gael Clichy.

But with the margins for error at the top of the table so slim, a fourth successive draw in the Premier League could yet come back to haunt the Gunners.

It could, though, have all worked out so different had an Arsenal goal from Emmanuel Adebayor not been incorrectly ruled out after only four minutes, when the ball through had come off the boot of George Boateng at the edge of the Boro area.

Arsenal had dominated the opening quarter of an hour, but despite plenty of positive build-up just lacked a telling pass and out of nothing, Boro snatched the lead in the 25th minute.

Schwarzer took a free-kick deep in his own half. A long ball down the left released Tuncay Sanli ahead of the Arsenal defence, who were holding on the halfway line looking to play offside.

The Turk dashed clear and his pass back across the face of goal picked out Aliadiere — who took great delight in knocking the ball into the net.

As half-time approached, Arsenal were making plenty of progress around the Boro penalty area — but again lacked a decisive pass to unlock a determined rearguard.

The home side pressed again at the start of the second half and continued to have the better possession as the hour mark approached, but without making any real progress.

Wenger made a double change with 29 minutes left. Theo Walcott replaced van Persie and striker Nicklas Bendtner came on for full-back Bacary Sagna as Arsenal regrouped.

The changes gave the hosts new impetus, with the crowd responding to the positive tactical switch.

Boro seemed content to sit deep and soak up pressure with 10 men behind the ball as the match entered the closing stages.

However, Toure levelled with just four minutes left when his header found its way into the net after Schwarzer and substitute Andrew Taylor collided on the line.

Mido — who had only just come on after 79 minutes — was shown a straight red for kicking Clichy in the face as he went for a high ball.

Arsenal pressed for a winner in four minutes of stoppage time, but had to be content with a fourth successive draw — which could yet prove so costly come May.