Arsenal held at Brighton while Man City bounce-back continues

With a disappointing 1-1 draw at Brighton, Arsenal wasted a chance to make up some ground for Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, Premier League runners-up over the past two seasons, travelled to the south coast on Saturday hunting a fourth straight league win.

Seventeen-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, in for the injured Bukayo Saka, put them on course for all three points in the first half.

However, shortly after the hour mark, Joao Pedro was level from the penalty spot in response to Arteta’s furious reaction after the Brazilian and William Saliba had a head-to-head fight.

“We’re also very disappointed with the penalty and the way it was given”, Arteta said. “I’ve never seen that in my life, and Saliba touches the ball, so it’s never a penalty for me”.

The 1-1 draw means the second-placed Gunners are five points behind Liverpool, having played two games more, with Arne Slot’s in-form leaders hosting crisis-hit Manchester United on Sunday.

“We knew it was going to be competitive and challenging”, added Arteta. “But we did compete, and it wasn’t our best day.

” We’re playing every three days as well, and today we lost too many simple things. Doing the simple things, we have to do them right, and today wasn’t to those standards. “

Man City and West Ham can resurrect their winning ways.

After defeating West Ham 4-1 earlier on Saturday, Manchester City have now won consecutive games for the first time since October. They defeated Leicester last week for just their second win in 14 games.

Vladimir Coufal’s own goal and Erling Haaland’s cross gave West Ham a first-half lead before the break, which was Savinho’s deep cross.

The Norwegian claimed his second 10 minutes after the interval, dinking the ball over Alphonse Areola after a fine pass from Savinho, to take his league haul to 16 goals, one behind Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.

After being maulered by Premier League leaders Liverpool last week by Phil Foden, Julen Lopetegui’s men scored a 4-0 lead before Niclas Fullkrug equaled the victory.

Arsenal’s draw at Brighton means Liverpool can go eight points clear, with a game in hand…

They face Man Utd tomorrow at 16: 30 GMT ???? pic. twitter.com/CTvSfzmHPZ

Despite their shocking run of results, sixth-placed City are just two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, but Guardiola said his team were still not back in the groove.

” I’m very pleased for the result, but you cannot ask me if the old City is back, “he said”. If you saw the game, we are not.

“You have seen what we have done with the opponents many times over the years.”

Newcastle, Chelsea and Aston Villa up their chase, Tottenham falter

Newcastle United, who had a fifth straight Premier League win, came out of the blocks to put Tottenham Hotspur in pain, adding more misery. Dominic Solanke gave the hosts a fourth-minute lead.

After Joelinton intercepted Lucas Bergvall’s pass with his hand in the build-up, Postecoglou stood in disbelief on the touchline staring at referee Andrew Madley.

VAR deemed Joelinton’s arm to be in a natural position and the contact to be accidental. Vers the end of the first period, Alexander Isak, who was in charge, scored what turned out to be the winner.

With a 2-1 victory, new England manager Thomas Tuchel watched, which places Newcastle in fifth place, which may or may not be enough to guarantee a place in the Champions League the following year. Spurs, however, have lost five of their matches and are now ranked 12th in the table.

Postecoglou praised his players, saying he was proud of them but that he was “the angriest I think I have ever been in my career.”

“I think it’s clear”, said the Australian. “Now whether people agree with me or not, whether it wasn’t handball or it was accidental, I’m just not interested in any of that discussion.

We would have won that game on any other day, on a fair and even playing field, I know what everyone wants me to say, but all I’ll say is that. Simple as that. “

Chelsea under Enzo Maresca only managed two points from four games over the festive period when they were breathing down Liverpool’s necks just two weeks ago.

The visitors took a first-half lead thanks to Cole Palmer, but they were unable to capitalize on their possession, and Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the winner in the 82nd minute.

We were discussing the title race two weeks ago and three weeks ago, but I now know that it will happen in any season for any team and that there will be times when you won’t be able to win games, Maresca said.

Aston Villa beat relegation-threatened Leicester 2-1 at home, with goals from Ross Barkley and Leon Bailey.

Source: Aljazeera