Arsenal head into 2023 with a formidable seven-point lead on the high of the Premier League after a 4-2 win at Brighton, whereas Manchester City’s title defence suffered a serious setback as Everton snatched a 1-1 draw in opposition to the champions on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta’s facet powered to a fifth successive league victory because of targets from Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli on New Year’s Eve on the Amex Stadium.
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The Gunners stormed into the lead after simply two minutes when Martinelli’s deflected effort reached England ahead Saka, who took a deft contact earlier than slotting previous Brighton keeper Robert Sanchez.
Arsenal had been in full management and Danish midfielder Odegaard netted with a thumping thirty ninth minute strike after a nook was cleared to the sting of the Brighton space.
Nketiah scored Arsenal’s third within the forty seventh minute, poking residence after Sanchez failed to carry Martinelli’s effort.
Kaoru Mitoma’s sixty fifth minute strike for Brighton would have shaken Arsenal’s nerves up to now, however the present crop are fabricated from sterner stuff.
Six minutes later Martinelli bagged the fourth from Odegaard’s chic lengthy cross, a strike that rendered irrelevant Evan Ferguson’s first league purpose for Brighton within the 77th minute.
Arsenal’s ninth win of their final 10 league matches was even sweeter coming simply hours after second positioned City stumbled on the Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola’s facet blew the lead given to them by Erling Haaland as Demarai Gray scored an eye catching equaliser for struggling Everton.
City have did not win two of their final three league video games and head into 2023 in peril of surrendering the title they’ve gained 4 occasions within the final 5 seasons.
Haaland put City forward within the twenty fourth minute along with his twenty seventh purpose in 20 aggressive appearances since his close-season transfer from Borussia Dortmund.
Riyad Mahrez supplied the help with a stunning run and pin-point cross to the Norway striker, who slotted previous Jordan Pickford in ruthless trend.
But Everton equalised in opposition to the run of play within the sixty fourth minute as Gray robbed City midfielder Rodri and curled a blistering strike into the highest nook, within the course of shopping for under-fire boss Frank Lampard some much-needed respiration house.
Guardiola stayed constructive, saying: “Dropping points at home is always tough. But we played really good in the last three games and it makes me feel optimistic.”
Marcus Rashford responded to his benching for lacking a group assembly after over-sleeping with the late strike that clinched Manchester United’s 1-0 win at Wolves.
United supervisor Erik ten Hag dropped Marcus Rashford due to an “internal disciplinary” difficulty that broke “our rules”.
The 25-year-old’s exile solely lasted till halftime when he was despatched on by Ten Hag in a transfer that proved the catalyst for fourth positioned United to seal their fifth successive win in all competitions.
Rashford appeared decided to show Ten Hag mistaken as he rampaged by the Wolves defence to attain his eleventh purpose in all competitions this season and his third in three appearances because the World Cup.
“We draw a line under it and move on. I was a little bit late for a meeting. I overslept but it can happen,” Rashford stated.
“Obviously it’s team rules. I made a mistake. I’m obviously disappointed not to play but I understand the decision and I’m happy we managed to win anyway.” Ten Hag added: “It’s good after the decision. I think it happens often. Coming in he was bright, lively, he scored a goal and that is the right reaction.
“Of course (that is the end of the matter). Everyone has to match the rules. This is the right answer.” Third positioned Newcastle’s six-match profitable run got here to a halt in a 0-0 draw in opposition to Leeds at St James’ Park.
Joao Palhinha’s last-gasp purpose sealed Fulham’s 2-1 win in opposition to Southampton, who sit backside of the desk after a fifth successive defeat.
Crystal Palace eased to a 2-0 win at Bournemouth as Patrick Vieira’s facet ended their three-match purpose drought because of Jordan Ayew and Eberechi Eze.
Originally printed as Arsenal prolong lead at high of EPL ladder as Manchester City drop factors
