(Football news) A week after Liverpool scored five at Old Trafford, Jurgen Klopp’s team were in for a rude awakening as they welcomed Brighton at Anfield. Few would have predicted a 2-2 stalemate when Jordan Henderson found the back of the net in the fourth minute as it looked business as usual for the Reds who have been in fantastic form. However, the hosts never looked in full control from the get go as Solly March forced Alisson to a good save in what was the first of the many chances the Brazilian was forced to make.

Yves Bissouma dispossessed Ibrahima Konate and attempted to score from 25 yards out but hit the post and resulted in a corner. Graham Potter’s team looked vulnerable in midfield and it showed when substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who replaced an injured Naby Keita crossed the ball to Sadio Mane who doubled Liverpool’s lead with a diving header in the 24th minute. The ball went into the net a third time just minutes later when Mane’s slide tackle on Sanchez’s clearance found the far corner, only for VAR to spot that it came off the Senagalese’s hand.

It was Brighton who shifted the momentum in their favor when Mwepu’s 25 yard shot looped over Alisson and into the back of the net to give a ray of hope to the Seagulls. In the second half, Trossard’s powerful shot in the 65th minute found the back of the net to level the scoring in what was a thoroughly deserved result for Graham Potter’s team. With this result, Liverpool remain in 2nd place, three points behind leaders Chelsea while Brighton are 7th, one point behind Arsenal and Manchester United.

Premier League champions Manchester City endured a shock 2-0 defeat at the Etihad Stadium in Pep Guardiola’s 200th Premier League game in charge. Wilfred Zaha opened the scoring in the 7th minute, scoring his 50th Premier League goal and was also instrumental in ensuring City defender Aymeric Laporte received a red card at the end of the first half. Gabriel Jesus found the back of the net in the second half but the goal was ruled out by VAR as Phil Foden was offside. Conor Gallagher doubled Crystal Palace’s lead in the 88th minute to secure all three points for Patrick Vieira’s side who are 13th in the Premier League table while City are 3rd, five points behind leaders Chelsea.

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Arsenal continued their fine form at the King Power Stadium as they defeated Leicester City 2-0 with goals from Gabriel dos Santos Magalhães and Emile Smith Rowe. The first goal came in the 5th minute as Gabriel found the back of the net from Bukayo Saka’s corner before Emile Smith Rowe doubled the lead in the 18th minute, taking full advantage of some poor defending by Leicester to score past Kasper Schmeichel. However, the hero of the day was Aaron Ramsdale who made a world class save from James Maddison’s free-kick. The 23 year old made saves from Ademola Lookman and Harvey Barnes in the second half to ensure the Gunners secured all three points.

Premier League leaders Chelsea comfortably defeated Newcastle United 3-0 at St. James’ Park as Reece James struck twice in the second half followed by a Jorginho penalty to secure all three points for the Blues who cemented their position on top, 3 points above second place Liverpool. Despite dominating the first half, Chelsea failed to find the back of the net as Kai Havertz could not capitalize on opportunities. In the 65th minute, James opened the scoring with a superb strike with his left foot and then scored with his right in the 77th minute to double the lead. With 10 minutes to go, Darlow brought down Havertz inside the box and Jorginho duly converted the penalty to ensure Chelsea secured all three points.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer heaved a sigh of relief when his Manchester United side scored three past Tottenham Hotspur to secure much needed three points and ended their four game winless run. Ronaldo opened the scoring with a fantastic volley late in the first half and provided an assist for Cavani midway through the second half as Manchester United looked in control for the majority of the match. The hosts didn’t have a single shot on target in an utterly toothless performance and looked helplessly as Rashford scored Manchester United’s third goal to ensure Solskjaer’s team progressed to fifth in the Premier League table.