Arsenal blew a chance to make up a significant difference to Premier League leaders Liverpool disappointing 1-1 at Brighton.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, Premier League runners-up for the past two seasons, travel to the south coast on Saturday in search of a fourth straight league win.
Seventeen-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, filling in for the injured Bukaya Saka, led them on their way to all three points in the first half.
But Joao Pedro equalized from the penalty spot after a clash of heads between the Brazilian and William Saliba just after the hour mark, prompting a furious reaction from Arteta.
“We are also very disappointed with the penalty and the way it was handed down,” 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 adrift of Liverpool, having played two games more, with in-form Arne Slot in charge hosting crisis-hit Manchester United on Sunday.
“We knew it would be competitive and challenging,” added Arteta. “But we competed, and it wasn’t our best day.
“We play every three days, and today we lost too many simple things. Doing simple things, we have to do them properly, and today was not up to those standards.”
Man City return to winning ways against West Ham
Manchester City, who beat Leicester last week for their second win in 14 games, have now won back-to-back games for the first time since October after beating West Ham 4-1 earlier on Saturday.
The defending champions took an early lead against West Ham through Vladimir Coufalo’s own goal and Erling Haaland headed home Savinho’s deep cross shortly before the break.
The Norwegian scored his second 10 minutes after the break, slotting the ball past Alphonse Areola after a good pass from Savinho to take his league tally to 16 goals, one behind Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.
Phil Foden made it 4-0 before Niclas Fullkrug grabbed a consolation for Julen Lopetegui’s men, who suffered a 5-0 hammering at Premier League leaders Liverpool last week.
Arsenal’s draw at Brighton means Liverpool can be eight points clear, with a game in hand…
They face Man Utd tomorrow at 16:30 GMT 🔜 pic.twitter.com/CTvSfzmHPZ
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 4, 2025
Despite the shock run of results, sixth-placed City are just two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, but Guardiola said his side are still not back on track.
“I’m very happy with the result, but you can’t ask me if the old City is coming back,” he said. “If you saw the game, we didn’t.
“You’ve seen a lot of times over the years what we’ve done with opponents.”
Newcastle, Chelsea and Aston Villa continue their pursuit; Tottenham screw up
In an early kick-off, Newcastle United cruised to a fifth consecutive Premier League win and inflicted more misery on injury-hit Tottenham Hotspur. The home team took the lead in the fourth minute with a goal by Dominic Solanke.
Newcastle equalized two minutes later when Anthony Gordon headed into the bottom corner, but Postecoglou stood on the touchline in disbelief and looked at referee Andrew Madley after Joelinton cut out Lucas Bergvall’s handball in the build-up.
VAR considered that Joelinton’s hand was in a natural position and that the contact was accidental. In form Alexander Isak scored the winning goal towards the end of the first period.
The 2-1 victory, overseen by new England manager Thomas Tuchel, leaves Newcastle in fifth place, which could prove enough to secure a place in next season’s Champions League. But Spurs have fallen to 12th in the table after five defeats in seven games.
Postecoglou said he was proud of his players but “the angriest I’ve 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 whether it was accidental, I’m simply not interested in any of these discussions.
“I know what everyone wants me to say, but all I will say is that on any other day, on a fair and level playing field, we would have won that game. Simply.”
Enza Maresce’s Chelsea were breathing down Liverpool’s neck just two weeks ago, but they have taken just two points from four games over the festive period.
Cole Palmer gave the visitors the lead in the first half, but they failed to capitalize on their possession and Jean-Philippe Mateta equalized in the 82nd minute.
Two weeks ago, three weeks ago, we were talking about the title race… but at this point in the season, I knew it’s going to happen in any season for any team, you have some point where you’re not able to win games ”, said Maresca.
Aston Villa beat relegation-threatened Leicester 2-1 at home, with goals from Ross Barkley and Leon Bailey.
Brentford registered their first away league win this season, smashing hapless Southampton 5-0, and Bournemouth defeated Everton 1-0.
