Arsenal close in on Liverpool

Arsenal reduced Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League to two points after a deserved victory in a tense encounter at Emirates Stadium yesterday.

The Gunners knew defeat was unthinkable and their cause was helped hugely by Liverpool’s normally reliable keeper Alisson enduring a nightmare as two errors gifted Arsenal the goals that ensured three crucial points. 

It sparked joyous scenes at the final whistle as Arsenal condemned Liverpool to only their second league defeat this season, their first since a highly controversial loss at Tottenham in late September. 

Arsenal were rewarded for a lightning start when Bukayo Saka gave them a 14th-minute lead, turning home a rebound after Alisson saved from Kai Havertz. 

The hosts were dominant but a defensive shambles allowed Liverpool to restore parity seconds before the break, Gabriel turning the ball into his net via his hand after a mix-up between keeper David Raya and William Saliba as they challenged Luis Diaz. 

Liverpool carried more momentum after the interval with Alexis Mac Allister going close twice and Curtis Jones just off target before the Gunners were the next beneficiaries of a calamitous mix-up, this time between Alisson and Virgil van Dijk, that saw them restore their lead after 67 minutes. 

Alisson rushed from his goal and kicked fresh air as Van Dijk tried to deal with a long clearance, leaving Gabri-el Martinelli with the simplest of finishes into an empty net. 

Today (10pm) 

Brentford v Manchester City

Yesterday 

Man United 3-0 West Ham

Chelsea 2-4 Wolves 

Arsenal  3-1 Liverpool

Bournemouth 1-1 Nottingham 

Saturday

Sheffield United 0-5 Aston Villa

Newcastle United 4-4 Luton 

Everton  2-2 Tottenham

Burnley2 -2 Fulham 

Brighton 4-1 Crystal Palace

Latest standings 

P W D L F A Pts

Liverpool 22 15 6 2 52 22 51

Arsenal 22 15 4 4 47 22 49

Man City 21 14 4 3 51 24 46

Aston Villa 23 14 4 5 49 30 46

Tottenham 23 13 5 5 49 35 44

Man United 22 12 2 9 31 32 38

West Ham 22 10 6 7 36 36 36

Brighton 23 9 8 6 42 38 35

Newcastle 23 10 3 10 48 37 33

Wolves 22 9 5 9 37 37 32

Chelsea 22 9 4 10 38 39 31

Bournemouth 21 7 6 9 31 42 27

Fulham 23 7 5 11 30 38 26

Crystal Palace 23 6 6 11 26 40 24

Brentford 21 6 4 11 31 36 22

Nottingham 22 5 6 12 28 41 21

Luton 22 5 5 12 33 43 20

Everton 23 8 5 10 26 30 19

Burnley 23 3 4 16 24 47 13

Sheffield Utd 23 2 4 17 19 59 10