Liverpool stretched 5 factors clear on the high of the Premier League after an unprecedented collapse for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester Metropolis continued in a 2-1 defeat at Brighton.
Arsenal’s winless run additionally prolonged to 4 league video games to fall 9 factors off the tempo after a 1-1 draw at Chelsea.
Liverpool took full benefit in grinding out a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa to take an enormous step in direction of only a second league title in 35 years.
AFP Sports activities seems at three speaking factors from the Premier League weekend.
– Metropolis run out of fuel –
For the primary time in his managerial profession, Guardiola has now misplaced 4 consecutive matches as his injury-hit facet light within the second half on the Amex.
Erling Haaland gave the guests a half-time lead, however Metropolis had been penned again and ultimately punished late on by Brighton substitutes Joao Pedro and Matt O’Riley.
“The extent we’re enjoying is de facto good in sure moments however we’re not in a position to proceed for a very long time,” stated Guardiola.
“We weren’t constant to keep up our sport and our depth and press and be aggressive for 90 minutes.”
Guardiola is relying on the return of key gamers from damage to show the tide after the worldwide break.
Nonetheless, he additionally conceded that after 4 consecutive titles, it might now be one other group’s time to shine.
Metropolis host Spurs of their subsequent outing earlier than a go to to Liverpool on December 1.
Defeat at Anfield might give the champions a mountain even they can not climb towards a Liverpool in ruthless kind underneath Arne Slot.
– ‘Darkish and tough’ days for Arsenal –
If Metropolis had been to be knocked off their perch, Arsenal had been anticipated to be those to take the crown at first of the season.
After ending second to Guardiola’s males in every of the previous two campaigns, Mikel Arteta’s squad was tooled up with extra reinforcements in a bid to land a primary league title since 2004.
However they’ve gained simply three of their final 9 matches within the competitors.
“When it will get nasty, present your enamel and present how a lot you need it,” Arteta urged his gamers after Chelsea got here from behind to assert some extent at Stamford Bridge.
“If you end up in Disneyland, every little thing is gorgeous and everybody is good to you. When it will get darkish and tough, that’s the time to indicate your braveness.”
But there was a flicker of hope for the Gunners regardless of dropping two extra factors.
The absence of influential captain Martin Odegaard with an ankle damage had been essential however the Norway midfielder lastly made his first Arsenal begin since August 31 and offered a elegant move for Gabriel Martinelli’s opener.
– Sluggish begins puzzle Postecoglou –
Tottenham might have moved into the highest 4 with victory over Ipswich however as a substitute slipped to tenth after the guests secured their first Premier League win for 22 years.
Spurs paid for a well-known gradual begin as for the thirteenth time in 15 house league video games in 2024 they fell behind.
In eight of the earlier 12, Ange Postecoglou’s males battled again for victory however this time left themselves with an excessive amount of to do after Sammie Szmodics and Liam Delap gave Ipswich a 2-0 half-time lead.
“From my perspective, unacceptable, as a result of we began the sport nowhere close to the degrees we wanted to be,” stated Postecoglou.
The previous Australia boss remains to be struggling for solutions to an inconsistency that has dogged Spurs for many years.
Complete wins over Manchester United, Aston Villa and West Ham have been blended with 5 defeats in 11 league video games.
“We have been inconsistent this yr, honest to say, we should not be that inconsistent,” he added. “If you end up, that accountability lies with me to attempt to assist the gamers overcome that.”
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