Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Arsenal missed a crucial opportunity to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool, settling for a frustrating 1-1 draw against Brighton on Saturday. Meanwhile, Manchester City showcased dominance with a resounding 4-1 win over West Ham.
Elsewhere, Newcastle deepened Tottenham’s struggles with another defeat under Ange Postecoglou, while Chelsea’s woes persisted as they managed only a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, runners-up for the past two seasons, aimed to secure a fourth consecutive league win on their trip to Brighton. Seventeen-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, filling in for the injured Bukayo Saka, gave the Gunners an early lead in the first half.
However, Brighton’s Joao Pedro equalized from the penalty spot following a clash between him and William Saliba, sparking visible frustration from Arteta.
The draw leaves second-placed Arsenal trailing leaders Liverpool by five points, with the Merseyside club having two games in hand. Liverpool’s next match against a struggling Manchester United side could widen the gap further.
Manchester City Regain Momentum with Convincing Win
Reigning champions Manchester City built on their recent victory over Leicester, marking back-to-back wins for the first time since October. City took an early lead against West Ham, courtesy of a Vladimir Coufal own goal, before Erling Haaland doubled the advantage with a header from Savinho’s cross.
Haaland struck again in the second half, chipping over goalkeeper Alphonse Areola to bring his league tally to 16 goals—just one behind Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah. Phil Foden added a fourth for City, with Niclas Fullkrug scoring a late consolation for West Ham.
Despite their improved form, sixth-placed City remain two points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea. Manager Pep Guardiola tempered expectations, stating, “I’m very pleased with the result, but you cannot ask me if the old City is back. If you watched the game, you would see we are not yet there.”
City’s resurgence comes amid a tightly contested Premier League season, with every point proving crucial in the race for top-four positions.
This weekend’s results underline the intense competition at the top of the table, as Arsenal, Manchester City, and Newcastle aim to keep pace with Liverpool’s impressive form.