EPL: Liverpool Remain at the Top; Arsenal, Man City Keep the Chase
Liverpool beat Crystal Palace 1-0 to remain top of the Premier League as Arsenal and Manchester City came from behind to win.
City were 3-2 victors over Fulham to stay one point behind Liverpool, alongside Arsenal who saw off Southampton 3-1.
CONTENTIOUS MOMENT AS LIVERPOOL HOLD ON
Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to four points thanks to Diogo Jota’s winner in a 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace.
Arne Slot has now won nine of his first 10 games since succeeding Jurgen Klopp, but was frustrated that the visitors invited a late onslaught from the winless Eagles.
Victory came at a cost for Liverpool as goalkeeper Alisson Becker limped off in the closing stages ahead of a much more testing run of fixtures after the international break.
Slot’s seamless start saw him become the first Liverpool manager to win eight of his first nine games after beating Bologna 2-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday.
However, the Dutchman has been quick to point out that tougher tests lie ahead of his side’s Premier League title credentials.
Liverpool face Chelsea, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Manchester City in their next six Premier League games.
‘UNBELIEVABLE’ SAKA FIRES ARSENAL TO VICTORY
Fresh from a dominant win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, Arsenal were expected to sweep aside winless Southampton.
But the Saints shocked the Emirates 10 minutes into the second half when Cameron Archer fired in his first Premier League goal since a summer move from Aston Villa.
The lead only lasted three minutes before Kai Havertz scored for the seventh consecutive home game.
Gabriel Martinelli was introduced after an hour and took just eight minutes to make his mark with a finish on the volley from Bukayo Saka’s cross.
Having set up Arsenal’s first two goals, Saka pounced on a loose ball to score the third himself.
CITY CLAIM NERVY WIN
Mateo Kovacic scored twice as Manchester City clinched a dramatic 3-2 win against Fulham on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola’s side suffered a first half shock when Andreas Pereira put Fulham ahead at the Etihad Stadium.
But Kovacic, filling in for the injured Rodri, struck either side of half-time to settle City’s nerves.
The Croatian midfielder’s brace was followed by Jeremy Doku’s blistering strike before Rodrigo Muniz netted Fulham’s second to set up a tense finish.
City remain unbeaten in their first 10 games in all competitions this season, with five wins from seven league matches putting them firmly in contention for a fifth successive title.
They sit in second place, one point behind leaders Liverpool after ending a two-match winless run in the top-flight..
OTHER RESULTS
West Ham eased the pressure on new boss Julen Lopetegui by ending a run of three home defeats to start the new season.
Michail Antonio, Mohammed Kudus, Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta struck for the Hammers in a 4-1 win over Ipswich, who are still waiting for their first Premier League win 22 years.
Anthony Gordon saw a penalty saved on his return to Goodison Park as Newcastle were held 0-0 at Everton.
There were six goals before half-time as Brentford beat Wolves 5-3 to leave the visitors still rooted to the foot of the table.
Leicester secured their first league win of the season as Facundo Buonanotte’s strike beat Bournemouth 1-0.
