Arsenal’s title challenge suffered another blow last night as Tottenham recovered from two goals down to rescue a 3-3 draw 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 Wenger’s often-criticised defence failed him again and Rafael Van der Vaart scored a second-half penalty equaliser to condemn Arsenal to a fifth draw in six games.
As a result they lost second place to a suddenly resurgent Chelsea, who are now six points behind United with a crucial trip to Old Trafford looming in May.
Arsenal needed an early boost and they got it when Theo Walcott lit the fuse on an explosive first half by sprinting on to Cesc Fabregas’s pass and slotting past Heurelho Gomes.
Arsenal’s lead was short-lived as Van der Vaart beat the offside trap to score two minutes later.
But the Gunners were soon back in front when Samir Nasri hit a low shot from the edge of the area and they increased their lead five minutes before half-time through Robin van Persie.
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.
At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea produced a second dominant display in five days to keep a foothold in the title race.
After beating West Brom 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.
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 Fernando Torres and 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 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.