Arsenal beat Brentford 2-0 to restore a five-point lead, while Chelsea lose 3-1 at Leeds. Liverpool draw with Sunderland and Aston Villa win a thriller.
LONDON: Arsenal restored their five-point lead at the Premier League summit with a 2-0 win over Brentford on Wednesday.
Mikel Merino and substitute Bukayo Saka scored the goals at the Emirates Stadium to edge the Gunners closer to a first league title in 22 years.
Merino powered in his 11th goal of the season from a Ben White cross, with manager Mikel Arteta calling the striker’s movement and finish “phenomenal.”
Saka sealed the points in stoppage time with a powerful strike that proved too strong for goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
Chelsea slumped to a 3-1 defeat away at struggling Leeds United, who climbed out of the relegation zone.
Jaka Bijol and Ao Tanaka put Leeds 2-0 up before half-time at Elland Road, with Pedro Neto pulling one back for Chelsea early in the second half.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin then capitalised on a Tosin Adarabioyo error to slot home a decisive third for the hosts.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca called it “a very poor night,” adding Leeds “were better than us in all the aspects.”
Liverpool needed a late Nordi Mukiele own-goal to salvage a 1-1 draw at home to Sunderland.
Chemsdine Talbi had given the visitors a shock lead after a Virgil van Dijk mistake, leaving the champions eighth in the table.
Aston Villa climbed to third after a thrilling 4-3 comeback victory at Brighton.
The hosts led 2-0 through Jan Paul van Hecke and a Pau Torres own-goal before Ollie Watkins scored twice to level before half-time.
Amadou Onana and Donyell Malen then put Villa 4-2 ahead, with Van Hecke’s second of the night setting up a tense finish.
Nottingham Forest beat Wolves 1-0 thanks to Igor Jesus’s header, moving Sean Dyche’s side three points clear of the drop zone.
Crystal Palace rose to fifth after Daniel Munoz’s goal secured a 1-0 win over Burnley, who remain in the bottom three. – AFP
