Arsenal blew an opportunity to make up important floor on Premier League leaders Liverpool on Saturday with a irritating draw at Brighton as Manchester Metropolis pummelled West Ham 4-1.
In-form Newcastle inflicted one other painful defeat on Ange Postecoglou’s struggling Tottenham and Chelsea’s current woes continued with a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, Premier League runners-up over the previous two seasons, travelled to the south coast searching a fourth straight league win within the night kick-off.
Seventeen-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, in for the injured Bukayo Saka, scored a first-half objective to place them on track for a significant three factors.
However after being felled by an unintended headbutt from William Saliba, stand-in Seagulls captain Joao Pedro fired residence from the spot within the 61st minute.
The 1-1 draw means the second-placed Gunners are 5 factors behind Liverpool, having performed two video games extra, with Arne Slot’s in-form leaders internet hosting crisis-hit Manchester United on Sunday.
Arteta stated his crew had under-performed within the second half, failing to construct momentum, including that the penalty award was “weird”.
“We’re actually disillusioned with the choice that results in the objective as a result of I’ve by no means seen one thing like this in my life,” the Spaniard informed the BBC.
“He (Saliba) touches the ball as nicely.”
– Metropolis turned nook? –
Manchester Metropolis’s win at residence in opposition to West Ham means they’ve now gained successive matches for the primary time since October and Pep Guardiola will hope they’re again on observe after a horror run of 1 victory in 13 video games in all competitions.
The defending champions took an early lead via a Vladimir Coufal personal objective and two objectives from Erling Haaland put Metropolis in complete command.
Phil Foden made it 4-0 earlier than Niclas Fullkrug grabbed a comfort for Julen Lopetegui’s males, who suffered a 5-0 mauling by Liverpool final week.
Regardless of their surprising run, sixth-placed Metropolis are simply two factors behind Chelsea, in fourth, however Guardiola stated his crew had been nonetheless not again within the groove.
“I am very happy for the outcome however you can not ask me if the previous Metropolis is again,” he stated. “Should you noticed the sport, we’re not.
“You noticed many instances in the course of the years what we’ve executed with the opponents.”
Within the early kick-off, Newcastle got here from behind to clinch a fifth straight Premier League win and heap extra distress on injury-hit Spurs.
The house aspect went forward within the fourth minute via Dominic Solanke.
Newcastle levelled two minutes later when Anthony Gordon arrowed an effort into the underside nook, however Postecoglou stood in disbelief on the touchline referee Andrew Madley after Joelinton intercepted Lucas Bergvall’s go together with his hand within the build-up.
VAR deemed Joelinton’s arm to be in a pure place and the contact to be unintended.
In-form Alexander Isak scored what turned out to be the winner in direction of the tip of the primary interval.
The two-1 victory, watched by new England supervisor Thomas Tuchel, leaves Newcastle in fifth spot, which can but show sufficient to safe a spot within the Champions League subsequent season.
However Spurs have slumped to twelfth within the desk after 5 defeats in seven matches.
Postecoglou stated he was pleased with his gamers however was the “angriest I feel I’ve ever been in my profession”.
“I feel it is clear,” stated the Australian. “Now whether or not folks agree with me or not whether or not it wasn’t handball or it was unintended, I am simply not all for any of that dialogue.
“I do know what everybody needs me to say, however all I will say is that on another day, on a good and even taking part in floor, we might have gained that recreation. Easy as that.”
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea had been respiration down Liverpool’s necks simply two weeks in the past however have taken simply two factors from 4 video games over the festive interval.
The prolific Cole Palmer gave the guests a first-half lead, however they might not capitalise on their possession and Jean-Philippe Mateta levelled within the 82nd minute.
Aston Villa beat relegation-threatened Leicester 2-1 at residence, with objectives from Ross Barkley and Leon Bailey.
Brentford recorded their first league win on the highway this season, smashing hapless Southampton 5-0, and Bournemouth beat Everton 1-0.
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