Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hit out yesterday over Liverpool's late equaliser on Wednesday nightwhich handed arch-rivals Manchester United a Premiership title lifeline. A last-minute equaliser from Emile Heskey secured a point for Gerard Houllier's side and denied Arsenal what could have been a decisive edge in the championship tussle.

The point leaves the Gunners five points clear at the top of table. But Wenger claimed an unjust corner in the dying seconds was to blame for the 2-2 draw. Goals from Robert Pires and Dennis Bergkamp had given Arsenal control of a thrilling match, with John Arne Riise grabbing an earlier Liverpool equaliser.

Arsenal were heading for victory until a challenge between Milan Baros and Oleg Luzhny ended with referee Mark Halsey awarding Liverpool a contentious corner. That corner was only half cleared to Steven Gerrard, who set up Salif Diao for the cross that saw Heskey head a last-gasp equaliser.

"It was not a corner, never, but what can you do about decisions like that," Wenger said. "It didn't help us, but in the end we had the chance to defend the corner but we didn't. And then we didn't defend the cross for Heskey to score. We did 90 per cent of the job but didn't finish the way we should have. But a point here is still good."

Wenger admits Newcastle United have become the "dangerous" new ingredient in the title race as Bobby Robson's side grabbed a vital win at Spurs on Wednesday that took them to second in the Premiership.

Wenger insists Newcastle must be taken seriously. He said: "I'm conscious of Newcastle's big move, they are a dangerous side, but we have to play all the teams at the top so everyone will drop points. We must just consider our own performances and keep going.

"It will be very difficult now for Liverpool to challenge for the title, but ourselves, United, Newcastle and Chelsea are all in the hunt now."

Bookmakers have now made Liverpool 100 to 1 outsiders for the title, but Houllier is just relieved that Heskey is back on song, and also that another comeback hero, Jerzy Dudek, has had his confidence boosted by an outstanding display. Recalled following injury to Chris Kirkland, Dudek pulled off a string of wonder saves to keep out Arsenal.

Heskey's goal was his first at Anfield this season but his second in three matches since being restored to his role as Michael Owen's strike partner. His header at Southampton earlier in the month ended Liverpool's run of 11 Premiership games without a win. Such are the vagaries of statistics however, the goal against Arsenal means Liverpool have lost only one of their last seven league games.

Houllier conceded: "When Emile plays up front there's no problem. In fairness, since the Southampton game he's been doing very well for us. He's a team player, scored the equaliser, made chances for others, including our equaliser."

Heskey has consistently said he would rather play as a striker than in the left midfield role both England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson and Houllier have used him in. He said: "I'm a striker and that's where I like to play. I've been needed to play in other positions but with my presence I can get up there and try to get goals when I can."