Gunners reignite title charge
Arsenal rekindled their bid for a first Premier League title in 20 years by beating leaders Liverpool 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium last Sunday (Feb 4).
Liverpool’s hopes of sending off manager Jurgen Klopp as a champion of England were dented as Arsenal closed to within two points at the top of the table thanks to goals from Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
Liverpool missed the presence of Mohamed Salah throughout and were left a man short when Ibrahima Konate was sent off for a second yellow card.
“We were ruthless when we had a chance and it feels like a big win,” said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
“It gives us momentum and the way we have done it we are back in the title race. I am excited,” he added.
Manchester City moved into second place, level on 49 points with Arsenal, after Phil Foden’s hat-trick powered them to a 3-1 win at Brentford on Monday evening.
Ominously for Liverpool, however, is the fact that Pep Guardiola’s men have a game in hand and the experience of going the distance, having won the title in five of the last six seasons.
Meanwhile, Mauricio Pochettino apologised to the Chelsea fans after their 4-2 home loss to Wolves, Matheus Cunha’s hat-trick handing the visitors their first victory at Stamford Bridge since 1979.
The Blues were booed off by furious fans after dropping into the bottom half of the table and, with trips to Aston Villa in the FA Cup and Manchester City among their next three games, could be in complete disarray by the time they face Liverpool in the League Cup final at Wembley on Feb 25.
Manchester United climbed into sixth with a 3-0 win over West Ham as goals from Rasmus Hojlund on his 21st birthday and a brace from 19-year-old Alejandro Garnacho gave the Red Devils a glimpse of a bright future.
On Saturday Aston Villa moved into fourth place with a 5-0 demolition of Sheffield United, while strugglers Everton salvaged a 2-2 draw with Tottenham thanks to an injury time equaliser from young defender Jarrad Branthwaite.
Brighton crushed Crystal Palace 4-1, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth drew 1-1, while David Datro Fofana’s double inspired second bottom Burnley’s fightback from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Fulham at Turf Moor.
However, the game of the weekend was the remarkable 4-4 draw at St James’ Park between Newcastle United and Luton Town.
Luton raced into a 4-2 lead before Kieran Trippier scored in the 67th minute and Harvey Barnes, playing for the first time since September after injury, completed Newcastle’s escape act six minutes later.
The result left the Magpies in ninth place and the Hatters one point clear of the relegation zone.