Arsenal's title challenge was all but extinguished on Thursday morning as Tottenham recovered from two goals down to rescue a 3-3 draw in a breathless north London derby, while Chelsea went above the Gunners into second place after beating Birmingham 3-1.
Arsene Wenger's side were on course to move within four points of leaders Manchester United after taking a 3-1 lead at White Hart Lane.
But Arsenal's soft underbelly was again exposed as Rafael Van der Vaart scored a second-half penalty equaliser to condemn the Gunners to a fifth draw in six league games.
As a result they lost second place to a suddenly resurgent Chelsea, which is now six points behind United with a crucial trip to Old Trafford looming in May.
"It is not over, we have to fight and continue to battle," manager Arsene Wenger told Sky Sports.
"We had an outstanding first half and in the second we dropped physically because we had a difficult game on Sunday.
"Maybe the second goal was decisive becasue we needed to go with a two-goal difference at half-time. We had an outstanding spirit and we need to keep battling until the last day."
"We will fight like mad for the next game. Of course we can still win the title."
After the pain of Sunday's draw against Liverpool, Arsenal needed an early boost and they got it when Theo Walcott lit the fuse on an explosive first half by sprinting onto Cesc Fabregas's pass and slotting past Heurelho Gomes.
Arsenal's lead was short-lived as Dutch international Van der Vaart beat the offside trap to score with a ferocious finish two minutes later.
But the Gunners were back in front in the 12th minute when midfielder Samir Nasri hit a low drive from the edge of the area that took a slight deflection off Spurs defender Michael Dawson before beating Gomes.
Wenger's team increased their lead before half-time when Robin van Persie fired home from close range in the 40th minute after Gomes blocked his initial header from a Walcott cross.
Even then Spurs refused to surrender. Harry Redknapp's side had come from two goals behind to beat Arsenal 3-2 earlier this season and recovered from 4-2 down to earn a 4-4 draw against the Gunners in 2008.
Tom Huddlestone gave Spurs a lifeline four minutes later with a powerful long-range effort that fizzed through Van der Vaart's legs and beyond Wojciech Szczesny.
And the hosts completed a superb comeback in the 70th minute when Szczesny fouled Aaron Lennon and Van der Vaart stroked in the resulting penalty.
But the draw did not help Tottenham in its bid to secure a Champions League spot, with Manchester City still a point ahead in fourth with a game in hand.
"That was one of the great games in my opinion. It was a little classic," Redknapp said.
"We came back from an almost impossible position. There is a fantastic spirit at this club and we never give in."
Chelsea looming
At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea produced a second dominant display in five days to keep a foothold in the title race.
After beating West Bromwich Albion 3-1 on Saturday, Carlo Ancelotti's side avenged their 1-0 loss against Birmingham earlier this season to revive belief they can retain the title.
"With a six-point lead Manchester United is still too far but we have to believe," Ancelotti said.
"I never said the title race was over. After this we have to play five games. We have to win them all and see what happens."
Chelsea took the lead in the third minute when Paulo Ferreira's cross was flicked on by Didier Drogba and French winger Florent Malouda pounced to poke home.
Ancelotti again left British record signing Fernando Torres and France striker Nicolas Anelka on the bench as he opted for Drogba as his lone forward supported by Malouda and Salomon Kalou.
Kalou justified his inclusion as he scored with a sensational strike that saw him beat two Birmingham defenders before drilling an unstoppable shot past Ben Foster in the 26th minute.
Malouda put the game out of Birmingham's reach in the 62nd minute when he headed in a cross from debutant Ryan Bertrand.
Sebastian Larsson got one back for Birmingham with a 76th minute after David Luiz fouled Matt Derbyshire, but it was little consolation for Alex McLeish's team, who remain five points above the relegation zone.
-AFP
First posted April 21, 2011 07:14:00
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