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Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard’s double retrieved a 2-2 draw against Hull on Saturday, but a third straight stalemate at Anfield cast further doubts on the Premier League leader’s title credentials.
“If we want to stay top of the table we have to take three points from these games,” manager Rafa Benitez said. “I am very disappointed, everyone is disappointed.”
Defending champion Manchester United was held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at Tottenham to remain six points adrift of Liverpool, which tops the standings by two points, but can be leapfrogged on Sunday if Chelsea beats West Ham.
Arsenal’s fading title ambitions were dealt a further blow when former Gunner Jeremie Aliadiere equalised to clinch a 1-1 draw for Middlesbrough, allowing Aston Villa to dislodge them from fourth place by beating Bolton 4-2.
Hull was tipped as a candidate for relegation when it entered its debut top-flight campaign, but strengthened its hold on sixth place with a point at Liverpool.
“We have done very well but it is too early to start making bold statements about Europe just yet,” Hull manager Phil Brown said. “I am just delighted with an outstanding performance.”
The Tigers took the lead in the 12th minute when Paul McShane leapt above Liverpool defender Andrea Dossena to head Marlon King’s cross past Pepe Reina.
Veteran Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher scored his second own-goal of the season to extend Hull’s advantage.
But Gerrard started to haul Liverpool back into the match two minutes later with a close-range finish and the inspirational midfielder was on target again in the 32nd minute to complete the Reds’ comeback.
“The game was too open, we could not find the killer final pass and the match became very frenetic,” Benitez said.
“It is becoming difficult at home, where we do not have as much space to play because teams defend deep.
“In away matches it is different and we are able to exploit space on the counterattack.”
At White Hart Lane, both Tottenham and United could have won it in the last 10 minutes. Park Ji-sung forced a diving save from Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes before Luka Modric’s curling shot from the edge of the area was just deflected onto the roof of the United net.
Arsenal also dropped two points at Middlesbrough, as Aliadiere’s glancing header in the 29th cancelled out Emanuel Adebayor’s opening goal for the Gunners 12 minutes earlier.
Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor cancelled out Johan Elmander’s opener and his side went ahead before halftime when Bolton’s Kevin Davies scored an own-goal.
Agbonlahor and Ashley Young extended Villa’s lead after the break, while Davies grabbed a late consolation goal.
Blackburn manager Paul Ince’s job prospects look bleaker after Wigan inflicted a sixth straight loss with a 3-0 home win.
Sunderland climbed out of the relegation zone with a 4-0 victory over bottom-place West Bromwich Albion. Kenwyne Jones struck twice within a minute to give the managerless Sunderland an early lead, with Andy Reid and Djibril Cisse completing the rout.
Stand-in striker Tim Cahill scored in injury time to give Everton a 1-0 victory at Manchester City, climbing above City defender Micah Richards to head home Leon Osman’s corner. Stoke and Fulham played out a 0-0 draw.
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