Toure snatch late goal for Arsenal Sunday, March 16, 2008
Kolo Toure's late header rescued a 1-1 home draw for Arsenal against 10-man Middlesbrough, but it was not enough to send the Gunners back to the top of the Barclays Premier League.
Jeremie Aliadiere scored against his old club after 25 minutes, which looked to be enough for victory following a determined defensive display.
However, Toure nodded in with just four minutes left to earn a share of the spoils, and Boro finished the game with 10 men when substitute Mido was sent off for a high kick on Gael Clichy.
It could have all worked out so differently had an Arsenal goal from Emmanuel Adebayor not been incorrectly ruled out after only four minutes, when the ball through had come off George Boateng.
Emmanuel Eboue created space for himself on the right side of the box and drilled in a low shot, which Mark Schwarzer did well to deflect behind.
Out of nothing, however, Boro snatched the lead in the 25th minute.
A long ball down the left released Tuncay Sanli ahead of the Arsenal defence. 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.
Arsenal continued to have the better possession as the hour mark approached, but without making any progress.
With 15 minutes left, a Cesc Fabregas header shaved the outside of the post with Schwarzer beaten - just about summing up Arsenal's afternoon. However, Toure levelled 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.
