Man City and Arsenal draw 0-0, to Liverpool's benefit

ARSENAL showed their title credentials by holding reigning champions Manchester City to a 0-0 draw yesterday at the Etihad Stadium, allowing Liverpool to take top spot on a pivotal day in the Premier League's three-way title race.

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal, in the hunt for their first league title in 20 years, are second in the table on 65 points with nine games remaining, while City are third with 64.

Liverpool claimed the lead with their 2-1 comeback victory over Brighton & Hove Albion earlier yesterday.

City dominated possession, coming at Arsenal in waves. But the visitors frustrated Pep Guardiola's men - including league-leading scorer Erling Haaland - with a textbook defensive display to extend their unbeaten league run to nine games.

Gabriel Jesus had Arsenal's best chances, firing two shots just wide in the first half and then narrowly failing to meet an inviting cross from Bukayo Saka.

City's best opportunity was Kevin De Bruyne's early corner kick that glanced off the shoulder of Nathan Ake but fell to keeper David Raya.

Liverpool moved top of the Premier League - as Mohamed Salah ended Brighton's resistance to secure a vital victory at Anfield.

Brighton striker Danny Welbeck stunned the hosts by thumping a strike into the top corner with only 87 seconds on the clock.

Liverpool responded strongly and began to dominate possession, with Luis Diaz poking home the equaliser from close range before the half-hour mark.

Salah, making his first league start since New Year's Day, had missed a host of chances but eventually made one count when he coolly slotted in from Alexis Mac Allister's pass in the 65th minute.

The hosts thought they had all but sealed the win when Diaz fired in after 73 minutes but his effort was ruled out by the video assistant referee for a tight offside.

Brighton skipper Lewis Dunk came closest to snatching a draw for the visitors, but saw two headers saved by home keeper Caoimhin Kelleher in quick succession.

Former Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana also fired wide just moments after coming on as a substitute late on.

Ultimately Salah's strike proved the difference as relieved Reds fans greeted the final whistle with an exuberant celebration.

The home win escalated Liverpool to 67 points. -