Five Premier League games were played on Saturday, with one of the matches being Leeds United vs Arsenal. The 3PM kick-off saw the Gunners look to secure their first league win in four, while Leeds were aiming to make it six home matches in a row unbeaten.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal started the better of the two, as they took the lead through midfielder Martin Zubimendi. The Spaniard latched onto the end of a precise cross from Noni Madueke to put the Gunners ahead. 27 minutes gone and Arsenal were in the lead. Zubimendi made a huge mistake which led to Manchester United’s first goal last week, but this week, he made amends with a great goal.
Noni Madueke stepped over a corner in the 38th minute, and his in-swinging corner was not cleared by goalkeeper Karl Darlow, and the ball found its way into the Leeds United goal. “Set-piece again, ole, ole,” was being sung by the visiting supporters, who were enjoying watching their team be 2-0 up.
Arsenal celebrating vs Leeds United.
Image: @premierleague on X
Viktor Gyökeres added his name to the scoresheet by beating Jayden Bogle to a Gabriel Martinelli cross, to add Arsenal’s third and secure the three points for the visitors. The final goal of the game came courtesy of Gabriel Jesus, who topped off a brilliant afternoon for the league leaders. At full-time, their gap to second-place Manchester City was seven points.
The other two Premier League 3PM kick-off results were:
Brighton 1-1 Everton
Wolves 0-2 Bournemouth
Chelsea hosted West Ham United at Stamford Bridge in the first evening game on Saturday, and the Hammers had a dream start away from home. Jarrod Bowen gave West Ham the lead after only seven minutes, with Nuno Espírito Santo’s side hoping to pick up an important win on the road. West Ham doubled their lead through Crysencio Summerville, who gave his team a 2-0 lead going into the second 45.
Joao Pedro pulled one back for Chelsea three minutes shy of the hour mark, and the Blues were level 13 minutes later. The home side were in the ascendancy, but the Hammers were hoping to secure at least a point. However, Enzo Fernández scored a late winner in the game, as he netted a 92nd-minute goal for Chelsea as they completed a dramatic comeback. Liam Rosenior’s side were up to fourth at full-time, but they could drop if Manchester United won at home against Fulham.
The 8PM match in the Premier League, and the fifth and final on Saturday, saw defending champions Liverpool host Newcastle United. The Reds were targeting three points to go above Man United, while closing the gap to fourth-place Chelsea.
The Magpies were looking to pick up their second win in six during their visit to Merseyside, but it was not going to be easy. Anthony Gordon, a former Everton winger, put Eddie Howe’s team in front after 36 minutes, but Arne Slot’s side were not behind for long. Hugo Ekititke scored in the 41st minute to level the game, and he put his side in front in the 43rd minute.
Florian Wirtz scored in the 67th minute, adding a third for his side, while Ibrahim Konaté topped off the evening with a goal in the fourth minute of added time.
Liverpool were fifth following their win and it was a dominant performance to go along with their three points.
Third-place Aston Villa hosted high-flying Brentford in an exciting 2PM match at Villa Park. Keith Andrews’s side were reduced to 10-men, as Kevin Schade saw red in the 42nd-minute. Despite this, Dango Ouatarra put the away team in front on the stroke of half-time, sending a shock to the home team.
Tammy Abraham thought he scored on his return to Villa Park, but his goal was disallowed, keeping the score at 1-0. Unai Emery’s men failed to capitalise on their opposition’s red card, and the Bees dealt the home side a big blow in their title charge.
Manchester United took a two-goal lead against Fulham at Old Trafford in what seemed to be a routine win for the Red Devils. However, Raul Jiménez scored in the 85th minute and Kevin scored a spectacular goal from the edge of the box, levelling the score in the 91st minute. Marco Silva’s side seemed to have rescued a point, but a brilliant top corner strike from Benjamin Šeško had sealed all three points for the hosts in the 94th minute. Michael Carrick’s team have won their last three games in a row and are up to fourth in the league.
The third 2PM match result was Nottingham Forest 1-1 Crystal Palace. Forest were reduced to 10-men due to a handball from Neco Williams, but the Eagles could not find a winner at the City Ground. Sean Dyche’s team are 17th, six points clear of West Ham, while Crystal Palace are 15th.
Manchester City were looking to reduce the gap to Arsenal to just four points with a win away against Tottenham Hotspur. Pep Guardiola’s side had a great start to the game, leading 2-0 at half-time. Thomas Frank’s team needed a big response in the second half if they were to salvage something from the game.
Solanke’s scorpion-kick goal.
Image: @premierleague on X
Dominic Solanke pulled a goal back in the 53rd-minute, making the remainder of the game nervy, but exciting. 17 minutes later, the striker scored a spectacular scorpion-kick, drawing Spurs level.
The hosts were on the front foot and were hunting the three points, but at full-time, the result was 2-2. City failed to close the gap to Arsenal to four points, so the difference between first and second is six points. Spurs are 14th following their point and are winless in the league in their last seven in the league