Arsenal encountered a setback in their pursuit of the Premier League title on Saturday, as they squandered a two-goal advantage to conclude their game against Aston Villa in a 2-2 draw. This slip was significant, especially after Liverpool secured a late 2-0 victory over Brentford, with Darwin Nunez scoring two goals in stoppage time.
Liverpool’s triumph was dramatic, with Nunez, the Uruguayan forward often criticized for his inconsistency, netting in both the first and third minutes of added time. This victory allowed Liverpool to maintain their position atop the standings, extending their lead to six points over Arsenal, who now trails in second place. Additionally, Liverpool has a game in hand, which could further solidify their lead.
The earlier match saw Arsenal take control early, with Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz putting them ahead 2-0. However, they lost their grip on the match when Ollie Watkins struck to equalize for Villa, a bitter blow for the player who supported Villa as a boy. This outcome marked a troubling pattern for Arsenal, who have dropped 12 points from winning positions this season. The absence of crucial defender William Saliba was felt, as his replacements failed to prevent Villa’s resurgence.
In Liverpool’s match, Nunez faced jeers from Brentford supporters after coming on as a substitute in the 65th minute and squandering an earlier chance. However, his crucial goal moments later shifted momentum. He completed a swift counterattack just two minutes after giving Liverpool the lead, securing their first victory in three league matches. Despite some missed opportunities, Liverpool maintained their impressive record, having lost only once in the league this season.
Excelling amidst criticism, Nunez’s determination and performance impressed teammates, including goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who praised his contributions beyond just scoring. On the contrary, Arsenal’s lack of depth was evident; without key players Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, they struggled to find a winning goal despite pressing for the win and nearly securing it when a close attempt from Mikel Merino was disallowed due to a handball.
In other matches, Justin Kluivert had a standout performance, scoring a hat trick for Bournemouth in their commanding 4-1 victory against Newcastle, ending the latter’s impressive nine-match winning streak. Kluivert’s goals came in various forms, showcasing his versatility compared to his prior penalties scored against Wolverhampton.
Newcastle, despite a historic winning streak contributing to their top-four standing, saw Alexander Isak fail to score, falling short of matching Jamie Vardy’s Premier League record for consecutive scoring games. Meanwhile, Leicester City continues to struggle, with their seventh consecutive league loss further intensifying the pressure on manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has experienced limited success since taking over.
Crystal Palace also found success, defeating West Ham 2-0 thanks to Jean-Philippe Mateta’s two goals in the second half, completing an action-packed day in the league with potential implications for the title race and relegation battles moving forward.
