Liverpool holds leader Manchester City to 1-1 draw

Liverpool did an old rival a favour Sunday when it held Premier League leader Manchester City to a 1-1 draw.Vincent Kompany put City ahead in the 31st minute but Liverpool equalized just two minutes later through Joleon Lescotts own-goal and City was hanging on at the end even before Mario Balotelli was sent off with seven minutes remaining.It was only the second time this season that unbeaten City has failed to win in the Premier League and it meant that second-place Manchester United did not pay too dearly for dropping two points against Newcastle on Saturday. But not everyones mind was on football.The Anfield crowd observed a minutes silence before the game in honor of Wales manager Gary Speed, who was found dead on Sunday at age 42. Asked to do the same, the fans at Swanseas 0-0 draw with Aston Villa instead opted for an impromptu minutes applause and chanted Speeds name.With 11 wins and two draws from 13 games, City leads defending champion United by five points. United, which last season surpassed Liverpools 21-year-old record of 18 English titles, drew 1-1 with Newcastle following the award of a contentious penalty to the visitors.Kompany glanced a header into the top corner from David Silvas corner kick before Lescotts outstretched leg deflected Charlie Adams shot past goalkeeper Joe Hart for the equalizer.Manchester City are a top side and have top players and we knew it would be difficult, Adam said. But we stuck to our guns and we played well.Balotelli charged about the field after replacing Samir Nasri in the 65th minute, getting his first yellow card for pulling back Glen Johnson by the shoulder and the second six minutes later for leading with his arm while challenging Martin Skrtel for an aerial ball.Sent from the field, Balotelli seemed to remonstrate with manager Roberto Mancini before being escorted down the tunnel by a policeman. But Mancini said he had no concerns over the temperamental striker.He didnt deserve the second yellow card, Mancini said. We dont have any problem. Mario is young. I think he was disappointed with the yellow card.Hart then made saves from Luis Suarez and with a spectacular one-handed stop from substitute Andy Carroll. Silva could have won it for 10-man City at the other end with a breakaway but his shot was blocked on the line by one of a trio of covering defenders.Liverpool is in sixth place, ahead of Arsenal on goal difference.