Not much for Wenger to celebrate
Arsenal hands manager scoreless draw on his birthday against lowly Middlesbrough
MANCHESTER, England — Arsenal climbed to the top of the English Premier League Saturday, its manager’s 67th birthday.
Arsene Wenger was in no mood to celebrate, though.
A 0-0 home draw against struggling Middlesbrough brought an end to Arsenal’s six-game winning run in the league, just when Wenger’s team was being talked up as the real deal in the title race.
It could have been worse, too, with Middlesbrough creating the better chances at Emirates Stadium and drawing three excellent saves out of Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech in the first half. Wenger said his team was flat because the game came just three days after an “intense” Champions League match against Ludogorets, which Arsenal won 6-0.
“At least you can have a drink on your birthday,” a glum Wenger said. “When you win, you deserve it. When you don’t, you need it.”
Arsenal is in first place on goal difference from Liverpool, which beat West Bromwich Albion 2-1 at Anfield for a sixth win in nine league matches. Here’s a look at the rest of the action:
LIVERPOOL 2, WEST BROMWICH ALBION 1
Neutralized by Manchester United in a goalless draw Monday, Liverpool found things much easier five days later. Liverpool had 21 shots and 68 per cent possession, scoring goals through Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho from sweeping attacks in a one-sided first half.
Gareth McAuley’s close-range goal for West Brom ensured a tense finish and denied Liverpool top spot on goal difference.
BOURNEMOUTH 0, TOTTENHAM 0
Harry Kane can’t return quick enough for Tottenham.
This stalemate came at the end of a week when Spurs squandered many chances in a 1-1 draw at West Bromwich Albion last weekend in the Premier League, then drew 0-0 at Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League Tuesday.
Kanehas just returned to training after five weeks out with an injury.
Spurs remain the only unbeaten team in the league, but missed the chance to top the table.
LEICESTER 3, CRYSTAL PALACE 1
Leicester finally managed to transfer its Champions League form to the Premier League. Ahmed Musa, Shinji Okazaki and Christian Fuchs scored for Leicester, the third win in their disappointing title defence.
It’s been a different story in the team’s first-ever Champions League campaign: With three straight group-stage victories, Leicester is on the brink of qualifying for the last 16.
Leicester’s unbeaten run at King Power stadium stretched to 20 league games.
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Things are looking bleak for Sunderland and its manager David Moyes. A 1-0 loss at West Ham, courtesy of a goal by Winsten Reid in the fourth minute of stoppage time, was the latest tough blow for a side that is winless and in last place.
Swansea is next to last after drawing 0-0 at home to Watford, meaning new manager Bob Bradley is still awaiting his first win since taking charge. That was one of three goalless draws on Saturday.
Also, Burnley beat Everton 2-1 and Xherdan Shaqiri scored twice for Stoke in a 2-0 win at Hull.