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Tag: EPL

Arsenal Thrash Aston Villa 4-1 To Go Five Points Clear At The Top

Wale busari03 mins

Arsenal moved five points clear at the summit of the Premier League after a dominant second-half performance swept aside Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium, bringing the visitors’ eight-match league winning streak to an emphatic end. Villa, managed by former Arsenal boss Unai Emery, threatened to spoil the party early on and looked the sharper side before the interval. A win would have pulled them level on points with the Gunners, and their energy in midfield caused problems, particularly with Declan Rice absent. Morgan Rogers and Amadou Onana repeatedly found space through the centre as Arsenal took time to settle. Clear chances were scarce in the opening half, but the match shifted dramatically after the restart as Mikel Arteta’s side turned on the style. The breakthrough came when Gabriel reacted quickest from a corner, bundling the ball home after Emiliano Martínez failed to command his six-yard box. The Emirates erupted again moments later as Martin Ødegaard slid a precise pass into the path of Martin Zubimendi, who arrived perfectly to poke in Arsenal’s second. With Villa reeling, Arsenal pressed harder. Leandro Trossard made it three with a composed finish from the edge of the area, before substitute Gabriel Jesus added a fourth almost immediately after coming on, smashing in with his first meaningful touch. The goal marked Jesus’ first since January and underlined Arsenal’s growing attacking depth. Kai Havertz’s return to the bench after a lengthy absence further boosted the home side, while their defensive resilience remained intact deep into the contest. David Raya produced a stunning late save to deny John McGinn from point-blank range, though Villa eventually grabbed a consolation when Ollie Watkins scored from close range after Donyell Malen struck the post. The result capped a statement performance from Arsenal, who head toward the new year with momentum, firepower and a firm grip on the title race.

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Odegaard Scores As Arsenal Beat Brighton 2-1 To Reclaim Top Spot

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Martin Odegaard scored his first Premier League goal of the season as Arsenal held on for a tense 2-1 victory over Brighton, reclaiming the top spot in the table. The Gunners, who had slipped to second after Manchester City’s win over Nottingham Forest earlier on Saturday, opened the scoring when Bart Verbruggen’s goal-kick was intercepted, allowing Bukayo Saka to set up captain Odegaard, who calmly finished from the edge of the box. Despite dominating the first half—registering 15 shots, five on target, and keeping Brighton off the scoresheet—Arsenal’s one-goal lead at halftime barely reflected their superiority. Seven minutes into the second half, Arsenal doubled their advantage when makeshift right-back Declan Rice delivered a corner that Georginio Rutter inadvertently flicked into his own net, marking the fourth own goal to go Arsenal’s way in their last four matches. Brighton, however, fought back. Yasin Ayari’s effort, Brighton’s first on target, struck the post before Diego Gomez pounced on the rebound to pull one back. The introduction of winger Yankuba Minteh at halftime injected pace and threat into Brighton’s attack, forcing Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya into a brilliant save to keep out Minteh’s curling effort that was destined for the top corner, ensuring Arsenal secured all three points.

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Reijnders and Cherki Lead Manchester City to 2-1 Win Over Nottingham Forest

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Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki secured a 2-1 victory for Manchester City in a closely contested Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. Cherki played a key role in both goals for Pep Guardiola’s side, first setting up Reijnders’ opener early in the second half before netting a decisive goal himself late in the game. The first half offered little action, with neither team registering a single shot on target. For Manchester City, it was their first Premier League half without a shot on target in a year, since December 2024 against Liverpool. Drama unfolded just 18 seconds into the second half when Rúben Dias, already booked, fouled Igor Jesus on the edge of the box but escaped a second yellow card. Moments later, City struck with their first shot on target. Reijnders finished neatly under goalkeeper John Victor after a precise pass from Cherki, marking his fourth goal of the season and second consecutive match with a goal. Cherki’s assist took him to seven Premier League assists, the most of any player so far this season. Forest quickly responded through Omari Hutchinson, who scored his first goal for the club after joining from Ipswich Town. Hutchinson met a cross from Jesus and calmly side-footed past Gianluigi Donnarumma. Remarkably, all four of Hutchinson’s Premier League goals have come in home games against ‘big six’ sides. The winner came from Cherki with seven minutes remaining. A well-executed corner saw Josko Gvardiol head the ball into Cherki’s path, and the Frenchman unleashed a powerful shot into the bottom corner. Cherki’s goal highlighted his growing influence since joining from Lyon, taking him to eight Premier League goal involvements since November (1 goal, 7 assists) and 50 career goal contributions across Europe’s top five leagues (16 goals, 34 assists). The win temporarily lifts Manchester City above Arsenal in the Premier League table, though the Gunners could reclaim the top spot depending on their result against Brighton. For Nottingham Forest, the defeat extends Sean Dyche’s winless record against Guardiola to 17 matches, matching Steve Bruce’s record against Alex Ferguson for the most games without a victory against a single manager in Premier League history. Opta stats from the match highlight City’s dominance in goal contributions and tactical execution, providing a full breakdown of player performances, passing networks, expected goals, and more for in-depth analysis.

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Arsenal Edge Everton 1-0 To Reclaim Premier League Top Spot

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Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium, in a game far from their most fluent display. The Gunners were under pressure after Manchester City had briefly overtaken them with a comfortable win over West Ham United earlier in the day, making the trip to Mikel Arteta’s former club a must-win. The decisive moment came in the 27th minute when Everton defender Jake O’Brien handled Declan Rice’s corner in the penalty area. Viktor Gyokores converted the spot-kick emphatically, extending his perfect record in league penalties to 19 from 19 since the start of the 2023-24 season. Arsenal created more chances in the second half, with Leandro Trossard and Martin Zubimendi both hitting the woodwork, but the penalty proved enough to secure the three points. David Raya and the Arsenal defence were rarely troubled despite Everton’s spirited efforts. Everton were without key attackers Iliman Ndiaye, away at the Africa Cup of Nations, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, out with a hamstring injury, leaving the side light on creativity and goals. Thierno Barry and Beto offered little threat, and the team’s lack of a reliable striker remains an issue for the January transfer window. The home side felt hard done by late on when they appealed for a penalty after William Saliba appeared to trip Barry, but VAR ruled no foul had occurred. Dwight McNeil, Tyler Dibling, and Jack Grealish had minimal impact, adding to Everton’s frustration in front of a lively crowd. The result puts Arsenal two points clear of Manchester City and six ahead of third-placed Aston Villa, sending a clear message that while their performance lacked polish, their title ambitions remain very much alive.

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Chelsea Fight Back From Two Goals Down To Rescue 2-2 Draw Against Newcastle

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Chelsea rescued a 2-2 draw at St James’ Park on Saturday, sparing Enzo Maresca from a potentially uncomfortable post-match discussion after trailing by two goals to Newcastle. Nick Woltemade put the Magpies in control with a first-half brace, threatening to deepen Chelsea’s recent struggles. But the Blues responded after the break, with Reece James curling a stunning free-kick into the net and Joao Pedro producing a smart solo finish to earn a point. The draw keeps Chelsea in fourth place, though their recent form—just one win in five Premier League matches—remains a concern. For Maresca, the comeback was a timely boost following a turbulent week that sparked speculation over his long-term role at the club. On Friday, Maresca dismissed reports linking him to Manchester City as “100 percent speculation,” despite City reportedly considering him as a potential successor to Pep Guardiola should the Spaniard depart at season’s end. The rumours emerged after Maresca hinted at a lack of backing from Chelsea’s hierarchy, calling the 48 hours following last weekend’s victory over Everton the worst of his time at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea’s rotation policy has drawn criticism this season, often leaving the team disjointed. After making 11 changes for Tuesday’s League Cup quarter-final win at Cardiff, Maresca returned to his senior squad, only for them to struggle against Newcastle’s high-intensity start. Woltemade, eager to atone for his own goal in last weekend’s defeat to Sunderland, opened the scoring within four minutes. A Jacob Murphy cross found Anthony Gordon, whose shot was parried by Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez, leaving Woltemade to tap in from close range. Chelsea’s defence looked vulnerable again in the 20th minute as Gordon’s precise cross allowed Woltemade to score his second, confirmed onside after a VAR review. Chelsea’s struggles continued until the interval, though Woltemade missed a clear chance just before half-time. Maresca’s halftime instructions appeared to have an immediate effect. James struck a brilliant free-kick in the 49th minute, cutting Newcastle’s lead, while a controversial non-awarded penalty for a challenge on Gordon went Newcastle’s way. With injuries depleting Newcastle’s defence—including Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Sven Botman, and Tino Livramento—Chelsea began to press, with Pedro Neto forcing a smart save from Ramsdale. Their persistence paid off in the 66th minute when Joao Pedro cleverly headed Sanchez’s long kick past Malick Thiaw and finished clinically inside the box, earning Chelsea a vital equaliser. Maresca’s relief was evident as he celebrated with an animated jig on the touchline.

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Emirates Late Drama: Own Goal Secures 2-1 Win Over Wolves To Keep Us Top Of Premier League

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An own goal deep into second-half stoppage time secured a dramatic 2-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium, keeping us top of the Premier League. After a subdued first half, we came alive after the break, testing Wolves keeper Johnstone with several efforts before taking the lead on 70 minutes. Bukayo Saka’s corner hit the post and deflected off the visiting goalkeeper into the net. As the match approached full time, Wolves struck back. Tolu Arokodare’s header leveled the score, threatening a repeat of recent late collapses against Sunderland and Aston Villa. But in the 94th minute, Yerson Mosquera inadvertently redirected another Saka corner past Johnstone, securing a priceless victory and stretching our lead at the summit to five points. First Half Frustration Fans may have expected a straightforward scoring display for the league leaders against a side struggling at the foot of the table, but the opening 45 minutes were largely cagey. Our first meaningful chance saw Jurrien Timber nod over from close range, with Viktor Gyokeres arguably better positioned to test Johnstone. Wolves then broke quickly, allowing Hwang Hee-Chan a 50-yard run and shot that David Raya managed to block. In the chase, Ben White suffered a muscle injury, forcing Myles Lewis-Skelly on in the 30th minute. Gabriel Martinelli had three opportunities to break the deadlock but failed to capitalize—heading wide, seeing a shot blocked, and then poking one past the post. Despite our dominance, we entered half-time without a shot on target. Wolves, meanwhile, had a late chance of their own, only denied by a crucial Piero Hincapie sliding block. Stroke of Fortune The breakthrough finally came on 70 minutes. Saka curled a corner toward goal, which struck the far post and bounced off Johnstone into the net, ending a 46-year wait to score against Wolves under these circumstances. After taking the lead, we pressed for a second, with Martin Ødegaard, Leandro Trossard, and Mikel Merino introduced to add fresh impetus. Ødegaard forced a side-netting effort, Gyokeres’ turned shot narrowly missed, and Trossard’s close-range attempt skimmed past the post. Double Late Drama Wolves launched a late fightback, and in the 90th minute, Matheus Mane’s cross found Arokodare, whose header beat Raya to level the score. Just when it seemed we might drop points again, Saka’s corner in the 94th minute caused chaos in the box. Gabriel Jesus pressured Mosquera, whose deflection found the net, sending the Emirates into euphoria and securing a vital three points. The win kept us atop the table and marked another thrilling example of our resilience in the dying moments of games.

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Zirkzee And Mount Secure 2-1 Comeback Win For Manchester United At Crystal Palace

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Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount scored second-half goals to guide Manchester United to a hard-fought 2-1 Premier League win at Crystal Palace, helping the team bounce back after Monday’s disappointing loss to 10-man Everton. Palace took the lead in the 36th minute when Jean-Philippe Mateta converted a retaken penalty after his initial attempt struck the ball twice. The goal threatened to extend Manchester United’s struggles under Ruben Amorim following their first defeat in six matches. United responded after the break, with Zirkzee opening his account for the season and netting his first league goal since December with a precise low strike in the 54th minute. Mount then curled in a goal nine minutes later to complete the turnaround. Despite a brief Palace response, United held on to secure their fourth win in seven games, moving into the Premier League’s top half and just four points behind rivals Manchester City. Amorim made tactical adjustments following the Everton defeat, swapping his full-backs in the 3-4-2-1 formation at Selhurst Park. United started brightly against a Palace side set up in the same formation, with Casemiro forcing a close-range save from Dean Henderson within the first minute. Mateta continued to trouble United’s defence, with a shot narrowly missing after Matthijs de Ligt’s clearance struck teammate Leny Yoro. The visitors’ resilience ultimately paid off as Zirkzee and Mount turned the game in their favour.

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Everton Claim 1-0 Win Over Manchester United At Old Trafford Despite Playing With 10 Men

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Everton secured their first Premier League victory at Manchester United in 12 years, despite spending almost the entire match a man down after midfielder Idrissa Gueye was sent off for striking his teammate Michael Keane on Monday. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s brilliant first-half strike proved decisive, earning the visitors a 1-0 triumph after the 13th-minute altercation that saw a furious Gueye shown a straight red. Manchester United, aiming to climb to fifth with a win, dominated possession—particularly in the second half—but struggled to break down Everton’s resolute defence. Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was outstanding, making several crucial stops, including a stunning save to deny Joshua Zirkzee in the final 10 minutes. The victory, Everton’s second on the road this season, lifted them above city rivals and reigning champions Liverpool into 11th place, level on 18 points with United, who sit above them on goal difference.

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