Gunners battle past Forest to close gap on Liverpool at top
Arsenal overcame a sluggish first-half performance to cut the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to two points with a 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest.
The Gunners looked toothlessinthefirsthalf,butralliedto register three big points thanks to goals from Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka.
The result leaves them on the coattails of Liverpool, who can extend their lead back to five points against Chelsea tonight.
Forest made a game of it late on as Taiwo Awoniyi slammed home in the 89th minute but their situation at the foot of the Premier League is looking precarious, as they sit two points above the relegation zone with the threat of a points deductionforbreakingfinancialrules hanging over them.
The Gunners began to turn the screw after the break and their pressure eventually told as they took the lead in the 65th minute, though Matt Turner will not want to see it again.
Forest switched off from Oleksandr Zinchenko’s throwin and Jesus burst to the byline where his toe-poked shot went through Turner’s legs.
It was 2-0 seven minutes later after a breakaway goal. Gonzalomontielfluffedaclearance on the halfway line, skewing straight to Martin Odegaard, whosetjesusfreeandhepicked outsakaatthefarpost,withthe England star making no mistake. Forest had rarely threatened but Awoniyi, making his first appearance since November, converted after William Saliba’s mistake late on, though they could not find a leveller.
Newcastle condemned Aston Villatotheirfirsthomedefeatin the Premier League for almost a year with a stunning 3-1 win.
Two goals in four first-half minutes from Fabian Schar put the Magpies in control before Alex Moreno’s own goal after the break.
Ollie Watkins grabbed a consolation for the hosts, who lost intheleagueatvillaparkforthe first time since last February.
They remain fourth but have played more games than leaders Liverpool and rivals Manchester City and will be caught by Tottenham if they beat Brentford tonight.
Luton scored twice in the opening two minutes and 17 seconds en route to a stunning 4-0 win against Brighton at Kenilworth Road.
Aided by a superb hat-trick from striker Elijah Adebayo, they dismissed an insipid Brighton to move out of the relegationzoneforthefirsttimein nearly two months.
Chiedozie Ogbene also netted during a first half in which Roberto De Zerbi’s side simply could not cope with what came their way.
An Eberechi Eze brace helped Crystal Palace twice rally from behind to beat bottom club Sheffield United 3-2 at Selhurst Park.
Ben Brereton-diaz put the Blades ahead in the first minute and they retook the lead through James Mcatee after Eze had levelled for the hosts.
England international Eze was again on hand to equalise with Michael Olise, who had provided the two assists for the Palace goals, hitting the winner to take some of the heat off under-pressure Eagles boss Roy Hodgson.
Everton slipped into the drop zone after drawing 0-0 in a forgettable contest at Fulham.