Arsenal Hit Spurs for Four as City, Liverpool Keep Title Race Tight
It was a weekend that reshaped the Premier League picture at both ends of the table, with statement wins, late drama and crucial dropped points across the division.
Arsenal stole the headlines with a commanding 4-1 victory over rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby. Braces from Eze and Gyokeres powered Mikel Arteta’s side to an emphatic win, restoring their five-point lead at the summit. Despite a brief Tottenham response through Kolo Muani, Arsenal’s superiority was reflected in their 1.93 to 0.76 xG advantage as they tightened their grip on the title race.
Hot on their heels are Manchester City, who moved within two points of the leaders after a 2-1 win over Newcastle United at the Etihad.
All three goals arrived inside the opening half-hour, with O’Reilly netting twice to secure City’s 17th consecutive home victory over the Magpies.
Pep Guardiola’s men created 1.35 xG to Newcastle’s 0.58 but were made to work for the points after the break.
Liverpool also kept pace in the race for Champions League places, snatching a dramatic 1-0 winover Nottingham Forest courtesy of a stoppage-time strike from Alexis Mac Allister.
The Reds are now level on points with Chelsea and Manchester United after a tense encounter at the City Ground.
Chelsea, meanwhile, were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by struggling Burnley. Joao Pedro’s early goal looked set to hand the Blues all three points, but Fofana’s red card shifted the momentum and Flemming headed home a dramatic equaliser in stoppage time to earn Burnley a valuable point in their survival fight.
Elsewhere, Brighton & Hove Albion ended a six-match winless run with a clinical 2-0 victory over Brentford, despite the hosts registering a higher xG (1.74 to 1.11). Crystal Palace left it late to beat 10-man Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0, Guessand striking in the 90th minute in a contest separated by just 0.01 xG.
At the London Stadium, West Ham United and AFC Bournemouth played out a goalless draw, the Hammers unable to convert 20 shots and 2.87 xG. Aston Villa were also forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Leeds United, keeping Unai Emery’s side third but missing the chance to extend their cushion over the chasing pack.
Finally, Fulham produced one of the standout away performances of the weekend, beating Sunderland 3-1 at the Stadium of Light. Clinical finishing proved decisive in a match where the xG totals were nearly identical (1.87 to 1.82), lifting Fulham into the top half.
With Arsenal setting the pace, City and Liverpool applying pressure, and the relegation battle tightening, the Premier League campaign continues to deliver drama at every turn.
