text: SOCCER - VIEIRA SAVES ARSENAL WITH LAST-MINUTE EQUALISER. LONDON 1996-12-07 
   Frenchman Patrick Vieira blasted a last-minute goal to salvage a 2-2 draw for English premier league leaders Arsenal at home to Derby on Saturday. The London club had been rocked by a two-goal burst from forwards Dean Sturridge and Darryl Powell in the 62nd and 71st minutes which overturned Arsenal's 1-0 lead from a diving header by captain Tony Adams on the stroke of halftime. Liverpool suffered an upset first home league defeat of the season, beaten 1-0 by a Guy Whittingham goal for Sheffield Wednesday. Wimbledon leap-frogged over Liverpool into second place by winning 3-1 at Sunderland to extend their unbeaten league and cup run to 18 games. Two strikes by Efan Ekoku in the first half and a late goal from fellow forward Dean Holdsworth secured victory for Wimbledon, who trail pacemakers Arsenal by four points.
competitors: VIEIRA ARSENAL LONDON Frenchman Patrick Vieira English Arsenal Derby London Dean Sturridge Darryl Powell Arsenal Tony Adams Liverpool Guy Whittingham Sheffield Wednesday Wimbledon Liverpool Sunderland Efan Ekoku Dean Holdsworth Wimbledon Arsenal