Two moments of stoppage-time insanity helped Arsenal return to the Premier League summit, though they have been actually aided by a misfiring Manchester City.
An England star’s absurd goalscoring return because the World Cup continues to assist Manchester United’s prime 4 surge whereas two wins in two for Liverpool has their followers believing as soon as once more.
Catch up on the weekend that was within the newest version of Premier League Talking Points!
Son on scoresheet as Spurs do Hammers | 00:55
MORE COVERAGE
PL Wrap: Red-hot star rescues ‘garbage’ Man Utd; under-pressure coach’s woes deepen
PL Wrap: City star blasts ‘unacceptable’ outcome as late Arsenal drama gives main title twist
‘Don’t suppose they’re proper’: Chelsea boss fires again at followers calling for his head after shock defeat
GUNNERS SHOW CHAMPION MENTALITY IN FIVE-MINUTE MADNESS
As if dropping to Manchester City simply 63 hours earlier wasn’t dangerous sufficient, Arsenal discovered themselves on the ropes once more at Aston Villa on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta’s aspect trailed to Ollie Watkins’ opener, equalised by means of Bukayo Saka, then fell behind once more to Philippe Coutinho’s strike.
With their title goals beginning to fade, Arsenal proved they’ve the character wanted to deal with the pressure of slugging it out with serial winners City.
Oleksandr Zinchenko, lured from City within the close-season, blasted Arsenal degree earlier than an unbelievable denouement.
Deep into stoppage-time, Jorginho’s shot hit the bar and cannoned again into play earlier than placing Villa’s former Arsenal keeper Emiliano Martinez on the pinnacle and rebounding into the online for an personal objective.
Arteta and his gamers celebrated with abandon and Gabriel Martinelli wrapped up a vital victory with just about the final kick.
Arsenal’s first win in 5 video games in all competitions gave them renewed perception {that a} first title since 2004 remains to be on the playing cards.
“I feel the final 5 minutes inform me how a lot we wish it and that we now have the standard, the unity and the assumption that we will do it,” Arteta stated.
“When we now have readability and intentions and we increase the extent we will beat anyone they usually’ve achieved it.”
Arsenal again on prime after downing Villa | 00:58
LIVERPOOL STAR BECOMING ‘UNDROPPABLE’ AMID TOP FOUR CHARGE
After failing to register a win in 2023, it was all doom and gloom at Anfield.
But now, the temper has actually lifted at Liverpool after two wins in two video games.
Critics might have identified {that a} Merseyside Derby conquer Everton got here towards a aspect mired in a combat for survival, however there was nothing to dispute concerning the win over Newcastle.
Two targets in seven minutes was all it took for Jurgen Klopp’s aspect to take the benefit over Newcastle at St. James Park, though the hosts did themselves no favours when Nick Pope was despatched off for dealing with the ball exterior the field.
With the 2-0 win, Liverpool handed Newcastle their first loss at residence and simply their second league defeat all season lengthy.
Ironically, it was the Reds who gave the Magpies their solely two league defeats though that they had a late, late winner from Fabio Carvalho to thank for the primary win.
This time round, it was the Darwin Nunez present.
Has Darwin Nunez lastly turned a nook for Liverpool? (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
The Uruguayan has struggled at varied instances this season, whether or not that be the assorted missed possibilities or a crimson card in considered one of his very first video games since transferring in a $A112m deal from Benfica in the summertime.
His objective return within the Premier League additionally hasn’t fairly been what Liverpool had hoped for given the massive charge, with simply six targets to his title up to now.
But his strike towards Newcastle, in response to The Athletic’s Caoimhe O’Neill, “may effectively be his most vital” and point out Nunez might lastly be turning a nook.
“It was a composed end from Nunez, who appears to be like like he’s coming into his greatest kind up to now this season, and his timing couldn’t be higher with a prime 4 race now alive and Real Madrid to come back within the Champions League,” O’Neill wrote.
O’Neill additionally described the Uruguayan sharpshooter as “turning into an undroppable determine in Liverpool’s assault.”
With Liverpool now again within the hunt for a prime 4 spot and Nunez firing, we will’t low cost Klopp’s aspect simply but.
Jurgen Klopp’s aspect are discovering kind at simply the suitable time. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
CITY BROUGHT BACK TO EARTH AS WAYWARD ATTACK EXPOSED
Manchester City’s temporary spell on the prime got here to a irritating finish as Chris Wood’s 84th minute equaliser punished the champions for a sequence of missed possibilities in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest.
Pep Guardiola’s aspect had knocked Arsenal off prime spot with a 3-1 win in north London on Wednesday and, though the Gunners had reclaimed pole place with their win at Aston Villa, City would have completed the weekend in first place if that they had overwhelmed Forest.
They have been heading in the right direction to do exactly that when Bernardo Silva fired them forward within the fortieth minute.
But Erling Haaland hit the bar and blazed the rebound over earlier than lacking one other golden alternative as City stumbled.
Although they’re now two factors behind Arsenal, who’ve a recreation in hand, City defender Kyle Walker warned the Gunners that his group won’t quit on a fifth title in six seasons.
“We’re not down and we’re not out, we’ll hold going and hold combating till the very finish and put this down as a blip,” he stated.
“It’s not very best trailing Arsenal. We simply have to be sure that these performances don’t occur once more, we end our possibilities and defend effectively as a group, and we stick collectively.”
Forrest stun City with late equaliser | 01:05
ENGLAND STAR’S ABSURD FORM SPARKS RED DEVILS FORM
Marcus Rashford is spearheading Manchester United’s bid to win a primary piece of silverware since 2017.
United ahead Rashford scored twice in Sunday’s 3-0 win towards Leicester at Old Trafford, lifting his third positioned aspect to inside 5 factors of Arsenal.
Rashford has scored 24 instances in all competitions for United this season, the best objective tally he has ever managed in a single marketing campaign.
Remarkably, 16 of these targets have are available 17 appearances since he returned from the World Cup in December.
“It’s a pleasant feeling to be scoring targets and in the end profitable video games,” Rashford stated.
“There’s all the time one thing to push for and stay up for. I don’t really feel like slowing down, I’m simply attempting to enhance.”
Rashford would be the key for United in a pivotal week that includes the League Cup ultimate towards Newcastle on Sunday and the second leg of the Europa League knockout play-off towards Barcelona on Thursday, with the tie balanced at 2-2.
