Arsenal delivered a stunning 5-1 victory over reigning champions Manchester City at the Emirates on Sunday, keeping pace with Premier League leaders Liverpool, who still have a game in hand.
In this crucial clash between the two sides that have dominated the top spots in recent seasons, the Gunners clinched a dominant win, narrowing the gap to six points behind Liverpool.
Arsenal’s perfect start came just two minutes in when Manuel Akanji lost possession, allowing Kai Havertz to square the ball for Martin Ødegaard, who made no mistake in giving Arsenal the lead.
Havertz then squandered a golden opportunity to double the lead, an error that could have proven costly. City soon responded, with Erling Haaland scoring his 250th career club goal early in the second half to equalize.
However, the defending champions, who have been far from their best this season, quickly fell behind again. Just 105 seconds after the restart, Thomas Partey’s shot deflected off John Stones to give Arsenal a 2-1 lead.
Myles Lewis-Skelly, who had his controversial red card from a win at Wolves overturned, made the most of his second chance by curling in his first-ever goal for Arsenal to make it 3-1.
The 18-year-old celebrated by mimicking Haaland’s iconic meditation gesture, in a nod to the City striker’s words to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta earlier in the season to “stay humble.”
Havertz added a fourth for Arsenal with a powerful shot into the far corner, exploiting City’s disarray in defense. And in stoppage time, another young gun, Ethan Nwaneri, wrapped up the 5-1 rout with a brilliant finish.
The defeat leaves City in fourth place, now 15 points adrift of the top, with their hopes of a fifth consecutive title realistically dashed.
Palace sink United as struggles continue for Ten Hag
Jean-Philippe Mateta was the hero for Crystal Palace, scoring both goals in a 2-0 win over Manchester United, as Erik ten Hag’s side suffered a fifth defeat in their last six home league games.
The result lifts Palace above United in the table, as Oliver Glasner’s team climbs to 12th. Despite three consecutive wins lifting the mood around Old Trafford, United’s creative struggles and defensive errors resurfaced, with a performance that lacked the sharpness seen in recent weeks.
United’s best chance came from Kobbie Mainoo, who hit the post after starting as a makeshift centre-forward. But their attacking threat soon fizzled out.
Palace had been missing the influence of Eberechi Eze, who was only fit for a brief cameo off the bench due to injury. But his introduction proved pivotal—his free-kick led to Maxence Lacroix’s header hitting the crossbar, which fell kindly for Mateta to put Palace ahead.
Things worsened for United when Lisandro Martínez had to be stretchered off with a potential serious knee injury.
Palace sealed the win when Daniel Munoz sprinted through the heart of United’s defense and unselfishly squared the ball for Mateta, who bagged his sixth goal in five games.
Spurs ease relegation worries with win at Brentford
Tottenham Hotspur took a significant step towards safety with a 2-0 win at Brentford, relieving the pressure on manager Ange Postecoglou and calming fears of a relegation battle.
Brentford, despite having several chances, were undone by a series of defensive lapses and a stroke of luck. The opening goal came on 29 minutes when Vitaly Janelt inadvertently headed Son Heung-min’s corner into his own net.
The Bees pushed for an equalizer, with Yoane Wissa’s header coming off the crossbar, but Spurs capitalized on the counter-attack. Pape Sarr slotted home from Son’s assist to secure the win.
Tottenham’s victory lifts them to 14th, now 10 points clear of the relegation zone, easing the pressure on Postecoglou’s side.
