Arsenal head into 2023 with a formidable seven-point lead on the high of the Premier League after a 4-2 win at Brighton, whereas Manchester Metropolis’s title defence suffered a significant setback as Everton snatched a 1-1 draw in opposition to the champions on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta’s facet powered to a fifth successive league victory because of targets from Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli on New Yr’s Eve on the Amex Stadium.
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The Gunners stormed into the lead after simply two minutes when Martinelli’s deflected effort reached England ahead Saka, who took a deft contact earlier than slotting previous Brighton keeper Robert Sanchez.
Arsenal had been in full management and Danish midfielder Odegaard netted with a thumping thirty ninth minute strike after a nook was cleared to the sting of the Brighton space.
Nketiah scored Arsenal’s third within the forty seventh minute, poking house after Sanchez failed to carry Martinelli’s effort.
Kaoru Mitoma’s sixty fifth minute strike for Brighton would have shaken Arsenal’s nerves up to now, however the present crop are manufactured from sterner stuff.
Six minutes later Martinelli bagged the fourth from Odegaard’s elegant lengthy go, a strike that rendered irrelevant Evan Ferguson’s first league purpose for Brighton within the 77th minute.
Arsenal’s ninth win of their final 10 league matches was even sweeter coming simply hours after second positioned Metropolis stumbled on the Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola’s facet blew the lead given to them by Erling Haaland as Demarai Grey scored an attention-grabbing equaliser for struggling Everton.
Metropolis have didn’t win two of their final three league video games and head into 2023 at risk of surrendering the title they’ve received 4 instances within the final 5 seasons.
Haaland put Metropolis forward within the twenty fourth minute together with his twenty seventh purpose in 20 aggressive appearances since his close-season transfer from Borussia Dortmund.
Riyad Mahrez offered the help with a stunning run and pin-point go to the Norway striker, who slotted previous Jordan Pickford in ruthless vogue.
However Everton equalised in opposition to the run of play within the sixty fourth minute as Grey robbed Metropolis midfielder Rodri and curled a blistering strike into the highest nook, within the course of shopping for under-fire boss Frank Lampard some much-needed respiratory house.
Guardiola stayed optimistic, saying: “Dropping factors at house is all the time powerful. However we performed actually good within the final three video games and it makes me really feel optimistic.”
Marcus Rashford responded to his benching for lacking a group assembly after over-sleeping with the late strike that clinched Manchester United’s 1-0 win at Wolves.
United supervisor Erik ten Hag dropped Marcus Rashford due to an “inside disciplinary” problem that broke “our guidelines”.
The 25-year-old’s exile solely lasted till halftime when he was despatched on by Ten Hag in a transfer that proved the catalyst for fourth positioned United to seal their fifth successive win in all competitions.
Rashford regarded decided to show Ten Hag flawed as he rampaged by means of the Wolves defence to attain his eleventh purpose in all competitions this season and his third in three appearances for the reason that World Cup.
“We draw a line beneath it and transfer on. I used to be slightly bit late for a gathering. I overslept however it may occur,” Rashford mentioned.
“Clearly it’s group guidelines. I made a mistake. I’m clearly upset to not play however I perceive the choice and I’m glad we managed to win anyway.” Ten Hag added: “It’s good after the choice. I believe it occurs usually. Coming in he was shiny, vigorous, he scored a purpose and that’s the proper response.
“After all (that’s the finish of the matter). Everybody has to match the foundations. That is the proper reply.” Third positioned Newcastle’s six-match successful run got here to a halt in a 0-0 draw in opposition to Leeds at St James’ Park.
Joao Palhinha’s last-gasp purpose sealed Fulham’s 2-1 win in opposition to Southampton, who sit backside of the desk after a fifth successive defeat.
Crystal Palace eased to a 2-0 win at Bournemouth as Patrick Vieira’s facet ended their three-match purpose drought because of Jordan Ayew and Eberechi Eze.
