Arsenal draw 1-1 with 10-man Chelsea in a title clash, while Alexander Isak scores his first Liverpool goal in a 2-0 win at West Ham
MIKEL Merino rescued Arsenal as the Premier League leaders battled to a 1-1 draw against 10-man Chelsea in a heavyweight title clash on Sunday.
Alexander Isak finally scored his first top-flight goal for troubled Liverpool in their 2-0 win at West Ham.
Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo was sent off in the 38th minute at Stamford Bridge for a crude foul on Merino.
Despite Caicedo’s dismissal, Trevoh Chalobah headed Chelsea into the lead from Reece James’ corner in the 48th minute.
Merino’s close-range header from Bukayo Saka’s cross in the 59th minute ensured Arsenal emerged unscathed from the bruising encounter.
Arsenal are five points clear of second-placed Manchester City and sit six points above third-placed Chelsea.
The Gunners remain favourites to win their first Premier League crown since 2004.
Chelsea’s combative display suggested they could emerge as the biggest threat to Arsenal’s title aspirations.
Arsenal are unbeaten in 17 games in all competitions, winning 14 of those matches.
Chelsea have gone seven matches without losing in all competitions.
“I think we showed we are heading in the right direction,” Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta added: “Two teams that play with a lot of intensity and aggression, you could sense it in every tackle.”
Isak had failed to score in his five top-flight appearances since his British record (US$165 million) RM660 million move from Newcastle.
The Sweden forward banished that drought with only his second goal in 11 games for the Reds.
Cody Gakpo bagged Liverpool’s second goal in stoppage time to secure their first win in four games.
“It’s very important for us as a team that we went 1-0 up,” said Liverpool manager Arne Slot.
Joshua Zirkzee scored his first Premier goal for nearly a year in Manchester United’s 2-1 comeback win at Crystal Palace.
Mason Mount grabbed the winner after United trailed to Jean-Philippe Mateta’s first half penalty.
Unai Emery praised his Aston Villa players after a 1-0 win against Wolves moved them into fourth place.
Boubacar Kamara’s stunning strike secured Villa a seventh win from eight league games.
Brighton won 2-0 at Nottingham Forest to avenge their 7-0 defeat from last season.
Maxim De Cuyper and Stefanos Tzimas scored for Brighton, who climbed to fifth place. – AFP
