Arsenal struggle to hit top gear in draw with Southampton, while Liverpool and Manchester United cruise

Arsenal’s wings were clipped in a 2-2 draw at Southampton as they missed a chance to soar four points clear in the English Premier League title race while Liverpool thrashed Everton and Manchester United beat Cardiff on Tuesday.

With Manchester City and Chelsea playing on Wednesday, Arsenal could have stolen a march on their rivals but, like their team bus that was late arriving after getting stuck in traffic, they struggled to move out of second gear.

Arsene Wenger’s side started slowly and were caught out by Jose Fonte’s early goal and Adam Lallana’s second-half equaliser either side of strikes from Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla.

There was no sluggishness about Liverpool, whose 15-year home hoodoo over rivals Everton continued with Daniel Sturridge scoring twice in a 4-0 win, while Dutchman Robin van Persie came back with a bang as Manchester United eased past Cardiff 2-0.

Arsenal, who had Mathieu Flamini sent off 10 minutes from time, are two points ahead of Manchester City and three above Chelsea but could drop to third if their rivals win on Wednesday at Tottenham Hotspur and home to West Ham United respectively.

“They have difficult games as well and we took at least a point,” said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. “It’s not enough but, considering the situation at half-time [when Arsenal were losing 1-0], we have to be content with it.”