Emile Heskey scored a dramatic equalising goal in injury time as Liverpool held champions Arsenal to a 2-2 Premiership draw at Anfield tonight.

Arsenal dominated the early exchanges and fully deserved their first-half lead. On nine minutes a sweeping move set Thierry Henry through on goal and although the Frenchman was denied by Jerzy Dudek, compatriot Robert Pires was on hand to knock in the follow-up.

The Gunners had several good chances to extend their lead but Dudek, back in favour since injury ruled Chris Kirkland out for the rest of the season, kept the scoreline respectable.

After the break, Liverpool came back strongly and were rewarded when John Arne Riise fired in a superb low drive on 51 minutes.

Dennis Bergkamp restored Arsenal’s lead, with the help of a deflection, before Heskey levelled a second time after a disputed corner-kick was not cleared.

The drawÿenabled Arsenal, who now have 52points,ÿto extend their advantage over Manchester United to six points, although United do have a game in hand.

However, Newcastle United have leapfrogged United and now lie second following their 1-0 win at Tottenham. Jermaine Jenas scored the only goal of the game in the dying minutes, to take the Magpies to within five points of Arsenal.

Manchester City demolished a poor Fulham side 4-1. Goals from Nicolas Anelka, Ali Benarbia, Marc-Vivien Foe and Shaun Wright-Phillips earned the points for the home side after Steed Malbranquehad given Fulham an early lead.

At the foot of the table, West Ham recorded their first home win of the season to climb out of the bottom two for the first time since November. A last minute strike from substitute Jermaine Defoe secured three valuable points for the Hammers after a Paolo di Canio penalty had earlier cancelled out Dwight Yorke’s opener for the visitors.

Fellow strugglers West Bromwich Albion dropped to the bottom of the table after losing 1-0 at home to Charlton Athletic, Shaun Bartlett scoring the only goal of thegame on 60 minutes.