MANCHESTER: Title-chasing Arsenal lost to Bournemouth 2-0 in one of the biggest shocks of the burgeoning English Premier League on Saturday.
Runner-up in the last two seasons, Arsenal had the chance to top the standings with a win, but lost for the first time after going down to 10 men when William Saliba was sent off before halftime.
Goals from Ryan Christie and Justin Kluivert sealed victory for Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium to leave third-placed Arsenal a point behind leader Liverpool and level with Manchester City in second, having played a game more than its title rivals.
While it was a stunning loss for Arsenal, Manchester United picked up only their third league win by beating Brentford 2-1.
Fourth-placed Aston Villa tightened up the top of the standings by moving to within a point of leader Liverpool and level with Arsenal after beating Fulham 3-1. Brighton were three points off the pace after winning at Newcastle 1-0.
Garnacho stunner
Alejandro Garnacho scored from a brilliant volley as United fought back to beat Brentford.
The Argentina international fired home from a tight angle when connecting with Marcus Rashford’s cross just after halftime.
It sparked a comeback that saw Rasmus Hojlund hit the winner and ease the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag.
“In this team you see its togetherness and there is a fighting spirit,” Ten Hag said. “And today we add some determination to score goals and that is what we needed.”
United were reeling from their worst season start in the Premier League era heading into Saturday’s game and it looked like being another disappointing day for Ten Hag, who was angered when Ethan Pinnock opened the scoring for Brentford in contentious circumstances in first-half added time.
United defender Matthijs de Ligt was ordered off for medical attention on his bleeding head from a collision. It left the home team down a man as Brentford prepared to take a corner and Pinnock headed over the line in the fifth minute of added time.
United responded quickly after the break thanks to Garnacho’s goal in the 47th.
Hojlund flicked past Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken for the winner in the 62nd.
“We don’t score enough, we are not clinical enough. But today we scored two brilliant goals,” Ten Hag said. “It’s only one win, but it can help us.”
Villa rise
Villa were up to fourth after coming back from going a goal down at Craven Cottage when Raul Jimenez fired Fulham in front in the fifth minute.
Morgan Rogers quickly leveled four minutes later and Ollie Watkins made it 2-1 in the 59th. An Issa Diop own goal in the 69th completed the scoring.
Southampton collapse
Leading 2-0 after 28 minutes at St. Mary’s Stadium, last-placed Southampton looked on course for their first league win.
Second-half goals from Facundo Buonanotte, Jamie Vardy from the penalty spot, and Jordan Ayew secured an unlikely comeback that left Southampton rooted to the bottom of the table and moved Leicester six points clear of the relegation zone.
Also, Everton won at Ipswich 2-0 to move five points above the relegation zone.
Brighton flying high
Brighton’s impressive start under coach Fabian Hurzeler continued with the win at Newcastle.
Hurzeler, born in Texas, has made his presence felt in England’s topflight following his appointment in the offseason.
Hurzeler is also working wonders with Danny Welbeck, who scored in the 35th at St. James’ Park, his fifth goal of the season.
Arsenal stunned by Bournemouth and Garnacho sparks Man United comeback
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Arsenal stunned by Bournemouth and Garnacho sparks Man United comeback
- Goals from Ryan Christie and Justin Kluivert sealed victory for Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium to leave third-placed Arsenal a point behind leader Liverpool
- Fourth-placed Aston Villa tightened up the top of the standings by moving to within a point of leader Liverpool
Man City fight back to end Anfield hoodoo and reel in Arsenal
- Victory was City’s first away to Liverpool in front of a crowd since 2003 and reapplies some pressure to Arsenal’s quest for a first title in 22 years
LIVERPOOL: Erling Haaland’s stoppage-time penalty earned Manchester City a dramatic 2-1 win at Liverpool on Sunday to reduce Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League back to six points.
City were heading for defeat at Anfield with six minutes to go before Bernardo Silva canceled out Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning free-kick to spark an incredible finale.
Haaland put City in front from the spot before the visitors had another goal ruled out and Szoboszlai was sent off in the same incident after a VAR review.
Victory was City’s first away to Liverpool in front of a crowd since 2003 and reapplies some pressure to Arsenal’s quest for a first title in 22 years.
Defeat delivered another blow to Liverpool’s hopes of Champions League football next season.
The defending champions remain down in sixth and four points adrift of the top five.
These two clubs have combined to win the last eight Premier League titles, but both showed the flaws which have opened the door for Arsenal to potentially end their long wait to be crowned champions of England once again.
Haaland has scored just once from open play in his last 13 games and an uncharacteristic lack of confidence from the Norwegian showed with the best chance of the first half inside the opening two minutes.
Silva’s clever pass split the Liverpool defense, but Haaland’s shot lacked conviction under pressure from Milos Kerkez, and Alisson Becker was able to save low to his left.
Haaland hooked another effort straight at Alisson among 10 first half City attempts without a breakthrough.
Guehi booed
Second half slumps have been a consistent feature of City’s season and the visitors again faded in the second period until a late flurry saved their title challenge.
Hugo Ekitike should have opened the scoring when he completely miscued his header just before the hour mark after a lightning fast Liverpool break.
Marc Guehi was relentlessly booed after his proposed move to Liverpool from Crystal Palace broke down on transfer deadline day in September.
City took advantage to swoop in last month when they lost two key center-backs to injury.
Guehi was fortunate to escape with just a yellow card when he dragged down Mo Salah just outside the box.
But it was City who were left fuming at the award of the free-kick which led to the opener when Ryan Gravenberch went down under minimal contact.
Szoboszlai scored the only goal with an outrageous free-kick when Arsenal visited Anfield in August and produced another stunning strike which clipped the inside of the post before finding the net.
However, the Hungarian went from hero to villain when City levelled six minutes from time.
Szoboszlai played Silva onside as he slid in to volley home Haaland’s header for City’s first second half goal in the Premier League this year.
Alisson then wiped out Matheus Nunes to concede a penalty and Haaland kept his cool from the spot to put City in front.
Pep Guardiola’s men still needed a stunning save from Gianluigi Donnarumma to tip behind Alexis Mac Allister’s deflected shot.
With Alisson remaining forward from the resulting corner, the Liverpool goal was open when Rayan Cherki took aim from the halfway line to roll the ball into an empty net.
However, Haaland and Szoboszlai’s grappling as the ball trickled toward the goal saw the strike ruled out, with a free-kick awarded to City instead, and the Liverpool player given his marching orders.
