Arsenal secured top spot in the Premier League at Christmas with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Everton on Saturday, while Liverpool held off nine-man Tottenham 2-1 in a nervy encounter.
Manchester City briefly overtook the Gunners after Erling Haaland’s double inspired a 3-0 win over West Ham, but Arsenal reclaimed their two-point lead thanks to Viktor Gyokeres’ penalty at Goodison Park.
The match at Hill Dickinson Stadium was marked by penalty controversies. Arsenal had an early foul on Gyokeres ignored before being awarded a spot-kick for a Jake O’Brien handball, which the Swede calmly converted. Leandro Trossard and Martin Zubimendi struck the post after the break, while Everton were frustrated over two unpunished challenges on Thierno Barry inside the area.
City continued their pressure on Arsenal with a seventh consecutive win across all competitions. Yet, Pep Guardiola remained unsatisfied, urging improvements if City are to secure a seventh Premier League title under his tenure.
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Haaland opened the scoring after just five minutes and later assisted Tijjani Reijnders for his first Etihad goal before netting again in the 69th minute, moving City one point clear of Arsenal.
Liverpool extended their unbeaten run to six games, leaving Spurs manager Thomas Frank under pressure. Xavi Simons’ reckless challenge on Virgil van Dijk reduced Spurs to 10 men in the first half. Despite Mohamed Salah’s absence at the Africa Cup of Nations, Alexander Isak started on the bench and was introduced at halftime. The Swede scored his third goal for Liverpool but suffered an injury and had to be replaced shortly after. Hugo Ekitike doubled the lead with his fifth goal in three league games, though Richarlison’s late strike made the finish tense. Cristian Romero’s stoppage-time red card sealed Spurs’ misery.
Liverpool climbed to fifth, while Tottenham remained 13th. Chelsea maintained fourth on goal difference after a dramatic second-half comeback rescued manager Enzo Maresca, who had faced criticism following a run of poor results. Reece James’ free-kick and Joao Pedro’s opportunistic strike helped Chelsea recover from a first-half deficit against Newcastle, who had led 2-0 through Nick Woltemade’s double.
Wolves continued their struggles, losing 2-0 at home to Brentford and remaining without a league win this season. Burnley ended a seven-game losing streak with Armando Broja’s 90th-minute equaliser at Bournemouth. Leeds moved six points clear of the relegation zone after Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored twice in a 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace. Sunderland climbed to sixth following a goalless draw at Brighton.
