(Football news) Arsenal remain on track for Champions League qualification after defeating Brentford 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium. Despite the fact that the Gunners remain in sixth place, they are now level on points with fifth place West Ham despite having played three games less. After their win against Wolves, Mikel Arteta made one change to the team with Emile Smith Rowe replacing Gabriel Martinelli while Cedric Soares kept his place at right back.
The Gunners dominated the first half but failed to find a breakthrough in the initial 45 minutes despite having 16 shots including Alexandre Lacazette having an attempt ruled out for offside. However, the Gunners found a breakthrough early in the second half as Emile Smith Rowe dodged two defenders and slotted the ball into the bottom corner in the 48th minute, scoring his 10th goal of the season. Bukayo Saka then extended the lead in the 79th minute from a counter attack, with his strike hitting the post and going into the back of the net.
With the game looking all but won for Arsenal, Brentford managed to pull a goal back right before the end through Christian Norgaard. Despite the goal being ruled out for off-side initially, VAR intervened and gave the goal to Brentford. However, it was too little too late as the final whistle blew soon after, ensuring Arsenal secured much needed three points to keep their Champions League hopes alive while Brentford, currently 14th are just six points away from the relegation zone.
Chelsea managed to secure a narrow 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park through Hakim Ziyech's 89th-minute volley. Thomas Tuchel’s team made it nine consecutive wins after Marcos Alonso’s cross found Ziyech at the back post and the Moroccan found the back of the net. The 28 year old was unlucky to have not scored earlier when he found the net from close range after Lukaku’s parried effort reached Ziyech but VAR intervened and found the Belgian striker to be offside. Wilfred Zaha also had two opportunities to score but failed to hit the target as Crystal Palace’s wait for their first win of the year continued.
Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic and N’Golo Kante should have also scored but their finishing left a lot to be desired. Antonio Rudiger’s effort from 35 yards out was saved by Guaita before he came off at half-time due to a knee injury. The result means Chelsea are four points ahead of fourth place Manchester United, despite having played a game less while Crystal Palace are 13th, eight points clear of the relegation zone.
Also read: Real Madrid go 6 points clear while Atleti and Barca keep up in the top 4 race
At Anfield, Liverpool came from behind to defeat Norwich 3-1 with goals from Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz securing the three points for Jurgen Klopp’s team. The Canaries took a shock lead when Milot Rashica's deflected effort found the back of the net in the 48th minute before Sadio Mane acrobatically equalised for the hosts four minutes after the hour mark. Mohamed Salah scored his 150th goal for Liverpool in 233 appearances, giving his side the lead after a fantastic 70 yard assist from Alisson while new signing Luis Diaz opened his account in the 81st minute.
The victory means Liverpool have secured three points in five consecutive matches in the Premier League and eight matches in all competitions but Jurgen Klopp will hope that his side were more clinical in the match as Salah, Kostas Tsimikas, Virgil van Dijk and Mane all missed good opportunities. The result means Liverpool are on 57 points, six points behind league leaders Manchester City but have played a game less while Norwich City are rock bottom in the league with 17 points.
In one of the most entertaining fixtures of the weekend, reigning champions Manchester City endured a shock 3-2 defeat over Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium. A late Harry Kane winner ignited Spurs’ Champions League ambitions as Antonio Conte’s team secured the three points. Kane had a magnificent performance, setting up the opening goal by Dejan Kulusevski in the fourth minute. Ilkay Gundogan found an equaliser in the 33rd minute but Harry Kane gave his side the lead in the 59th minute after scoring from Son’s cross. The striker could have scored yet again in the 74th minute but the goal was ruled offside by VAR.
Just when it looked like Spurs had done the impossible, City were awarded a late penalty which was duly dispatched by Riyad Mahrez in the 92nd minute. However, Spurs had the last laugh when Kane headed home a cross by Kulusevski in the 95th minute to secure a priceless three points for his team. Despite the fact that City are still six points ahead of Liverpool, the reigning champions have played a game more while Spurs are currently eighth with 39 points but have played three games fewer than fourth place Manchester United.
