Liverpool and Arsenal both started with four senior England internationals in their line-ups as they fought out a 2-2 draw, at Anfield.
One of those Three Lions, Adam Lallana laid on the assist for his cross following a corner for Martin Skrtel's late equaliser for Liverpool, seven minutes into injury time, after Mathieu Debuchy and Olivier Giroud had cancelled out Philippe Coutinho's opener for the home side.
The result lifts Arsenal above Tottenham and Liverpool in front of Everton as a minor Christmas consolation for supporters of two sides who have failed to match last season's results to date.
Liverpool dominated the match, despite having Fabio Borini sent off late on and Lallana said afterwards: “I thought we were the dominant team and created enough to get the victory, but that's the way it has been going for us.
“It was an encouraging performance but a disappointing result.
“It was massively important for us today and we have got games coming up that are winnable and we have to turn these performances into wins.”
Lallana's team-mate with club and country, Jordan Henderson, laid on the assist for Coutinho, while Raheem Sterling, Steven Gerrard and substitute Rickie Lambert also featured for the Reds.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger gave starts to Calum Chambers, Danny Welbeck, Kieran Gibbs and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Adam Johnson fires home the winner for Sunderland
Earlier Adam Johnson fired home in the 90th minute to secure Sunderland a fourth consecutive Tyne-Wear derby win over Newcastle United.
The 27-year-old winger, who won the most recent of his 12 England caps in 2012, scored the game's only goal from a late counter attack – and has now netted in his past three matches against Newcastle. Jack Rodwell came on late for the Black Cats.
Johnson told Sky Sports: "Three years in a row – they must hate me here, but I'm delighted.
"I was a bit disappointed as I should have scored earlier on so if I had missed that one I would have been gutted tonight.
"I took my time and set myself and thankfully it went in."
Jack Colback impressed for Newcastle and England U18s striker Adam Armstrong played 31 minutes, missing an 86th-minute chance with the scores still level.
Sunderland defender Wes Brown tracks Newcastle youngster Adam Armstrong
