英语文摘：Man. City draw Liverpool to maintain five-point lead

LONDON, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Manchester City maintained five- point lead at the English Premier League standings after a 1-1 draw away to Liverpool on Sunday.

Man. City grabbed the lead after half hour when captain Vincent Kompany headed in a corner from David Silva.

Just two minutes later, Liverpool were level when Kompany's clearance from the edge of the area found Dirk Kuyt and the Dutchman laid the ball into the path of the advancing Charlie Adam.

The Scotland international didn't strike the ball cleanly but his shot took a huge deflection off City defender Joleon Lescott for an own-goal that left England goalkeeper Joe Hart wrong-footed.

City were reduced to 10 men with eight minutes left when striker Mario Balotelli was sent off for a second bookable offense.

Both sides had chances in the second half but neither could force a winner and in stoppage time Hart saved Liverpool substitute striker Andy Carroll's goalbound header.

This result left City five points in front of local rivals Manchester United after the reigning champions were held to a 1-1 draw by Newcastle on Saturday.

Both at Anfield and at the Liberty Stadium, where promoted Swansea drew 0-0 with Aston Villa in the day's other Premier League match.