Arsenal 0-1 Liverpool

The race for the Premiership took another tantalising twist as Liverpool claimed a stunning victory at title rivals Arsenal to leapfrog their rivals into third place.

Titi Camara claimed the win in a crucial top of the table clash with a fine first half goal - but the visitors had their defence to thank for the three points.

Where Arsenal's renowned back line was caught flat-footed by Camara, the Liverpool defence - marshalled by the excellent Sami Hyypia and Stefan Henchoz - held firm in the face of a desperate late onslaught by the home side.

Gerard Houllier's men have now beaten two of their three title rivals in successive weeks, after their 3-1 triumph over Leeds.

And next up for the Reds in a vital stage in their season are the Premiership leaders, their arch rivals Manchester United - albeit not for three weeks.

Arsenal, though, now face a monumental effort to win the title as they followed the embarrassing defeat by Bradford with a rare home reverse.

Arsene Wenger's side had lost only one of their previous 41 games at Highbury - and that was against Premiership leaders Manchester United earlier this season.

But the Gunners had not beaten Liverpool in the last 13 meetings between the teams - and the hoodoo was to continue in this crunch match.

Camara clicks in

Thierry Henry nearly put Arsenal in front in stunning style after 13 minutes, but Sander Westerveld thrust out an arm to keep out his swerving long-range strike.

It proved a crucial save, because within five minutes Liverpool were in front.

Steven Gerrard beat Arsenal's famed offside trap with a superb through-ball that left Camara clear on goal - and the striker took his time, before beating a helpless David Seaman with a neat, caressed finish.

Gerrard also proved influential at the other end of the field, with an excellent tackle in his own area to deny Frederik Ljungberg, just as the Swede was poised to shoot.

But as a result of that last-gasp challenge Gerrard aggravated a groin injury and had to be replaced by Veggard Heggem.

Arsenal offered little in attack in the first half, but the quicksilver Henry did break through the Liverpool ranks after 36 minutes, only to be denied again by Westerveld.

Liverpool played the waiting game, content to threaten on the break - and Erik Meijer could have made it 2-0 just before half-time, but this time Seaman kept out the shot.

All-out attack

Wenger threw fit-again winger Marc Overmars into the action in the second half - but only because key midfielder Emmanuel Petit had been forced off with a dead leg - while Liverpool lost Meijer, stretchered off with a knee injury.

Still the visitors were dangerous breaking from defence and Seaman - in his third one-on-one of the match - produced a superb save from Danny Murphy after a Martin Keown slip-up.

Arsenal substitute Oleg Luzhny almost scored with his first touch of the ball - but his shot was deflected behind and from the subsequent corner Henry headed over the bar.

Then with eight minutes to go Overmars nearly levelled - but he dragged his effort just wide.

But there was even more agony for Arsenal two minutes later when Patrick Vieira struck a wonderful volley, only to see the ball thump against the bar.

Liverpool were under seige in the dying minutes and Westerveld had to be at full stretch to deny Henry and wrap up the win.

Teams:

Arsenal: Seaman, Dixon, Keown, Grimandi, Silvinho, Parlour, Vieira, Petit, Ljungberg, Bergkamp, Henry.
Subs: Winterburn, Suker, Overmars, Manninger, Luzhny.

Liverpool: Westerveld, Smicer, Henchoz, Hyypia, Carragher, Gerrard, Hamann, Matteo, Berger, Meijer, Camara.
Subs: Staunton, Heggem, Murphy, Nielsen, Traore.

Referee: S Dunn (Bristol)