With the conclusion of the 23rd round of the Premier League, the title race has become even more intense.
Now it’s Liverpool who’s worried, seeing their 5-point lead evaporate twofold in just one round.
Here’s what happened.
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Index
Premier League – Arsenal 3 x 1 Liverpool
Arsenal really means business in this edition of the Premier League.
If last season the team experienced a significant decline at the peak of the competition, they’re now beginning to rise at an equally crucial moment.
On the field, the league leaders, Liverpool, coming off four consecutive wins in the championship. On the other side, Arsenal, sitting third with two back-to-back victories after two consecutive defeats.
A game that could, as it did, narrow the gap between the teams to just two points.
The first half was marked by balance between the teams.
The first chance came for the home side. In a quick release by Raya, Gabriel Martinelli, who had an excellent performance, runs almost the entire length of the field, pursued by Konaté, who fails to even foul him. The Brazilian winger crosses to Saka, who mistimes the ball.
Liverpool’s response came from a long-range shot.
Then, Ødegaard finds a beautiful pass to Havertz who misses the goal face-to-face with Alison. However, Saka is alert and scores on the rebound to open the scoring for the Gunners.
All of these events happened within a span of three minutes. Frantic.
Maintaining the balance, the Reds equalize the match in stoppage time of the first half. A memorable blunder between Saliba and Raya. The defender tries to shield the ball that was in his possession, expecting the Spanish goalkeeper to grab it with his hands. However, Luis Diaz was pressing in the play.
Using his speed, he manages to touch the ball, which deflects off Gabriel Magalhães’ arm and into the goal, leveling the match. A somewhat peculiar own goal.
In the second half, Arsenal comes back with a lot of intensity. In a long ball, Martinelli runs from his own half and contests with Van Dijk.
This time, it was the Liverpool’s goalkeeper-defense duo who protagonised a bizarre incident.
Alison comes off his line to clear the ball. Van Dijk had already displaced the Brazilian forward. However, the Reds’ goalkeeper misses the ball, leaving it clean and with the goal wide open for Martinelli. He scores and puts Arsenal back in the lead.
Image: ESPN Reproduction
Jurgen Klopp’s team tries to mount pressure in their own style, but the team was lacking in finishing. Out of ten shots, only one was on target.
So, in the 87th minute, Konaté commits a harsh foul on Havertz, getting sent off with a second yellow card.
Truly, it wasn’t Alison’s day. Trossard makes a beautiful individual play on the left flank, cuts inside the box, and shoots across goal.
Liverpool’s goalkeeper, poorly positioned, lets the ball pass under his legs, into his own corner.
Arsenal is very much alive in the title race. A victory that not only reduces a considerable lead but also boosts morale for the squad.
However, the Reds have shown numerous times a great resilience, besides the chance for Manchester City to take the lead with one game in hand.
Image: Reuters/John Sibley
Premier League – Brentford 1 x 3 Manchester City
Pep Guardiola’s team secured three valuable points against the team from the London metropolitan area.
The hosts started the game very defensively, and the first chances for the Cityzens came from long-range shots, well saved by goalkeeper Flekken.
At the 20th minute, a defensive lapse from City. Apart from the excellent saves, the goalkeeper also left the field with an assist to his name. From a goal kick, the striker Toney shields the ball against Aké. The ball bounces and gains speed, leaving Maupay face-to-face with Ederson.
The Frenchman finishes past him and opens the scoring.
The result was very interesting for Liverpool, who would maintain their advantage over the team from the English West even with the defeat.
Flekken almost secured the favorable score until the end of the first half, with more miraculous saves. One in a one-on-one duel with Haaland and another in a shot from Rodri.
However, in stoppage time, Brentford’s defense falters and the ball falls cleanly for Phil Foden to score his first goal of the match.
With the start of the second half, City’s strong pressure became unbearable. At 53′, another assist for Kevin De Bruyne’s tally and another goal for Foden.
In the classic play of the Belgian midfielder, he makes a tight cross that finds the English forward free to head home.
Manchester City, in their typical fashion, didn’t ease off the accelerator. Haaland combines with Foden and sets him up face-to-face with Flekken. He finishes low and completes his historic hat-trick.
In the end, the Cityzens, once again, only depend on themselves to win another Premier League title. Simply impressive.
Do you believe they will secure the sixth title in the last seven years?
Image: Reprodução OneFootball
Written by Vitor F L Miller.
