Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal is gesturing during the Premier League match between Brentford and Arsenal at the Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford, on November 25, 2023. (Photo by MI News/NurPhoto) (Photo by MI News / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP) Photo: MI NEWS
Arsenal moved top of the Premier League when a late goal by Kai Havertz earned them a 1-0 victory at Brentford.
Manchester City's earlier draw with Liverpool meant Mikel Arteta's side would leapfrog both clubs with a win but that did not look likely for most of the game.
Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale, recalled to the side, got away with a huge mistake in the first half, while the visitors had a goal by Leandro Trossard ruled out for offside.
Havertz, who came on as a substitute, eventually broke the deadlock with a close-range header in the 89th minute.
Arsenal moved up to first place with 30 points from 13 games, one ahead of City and two ahead of Liverpool.
An 80th-minute goal from Trent Alexander-Arnold secured Liverpool a breathless 1-1 draw with leaders Manchester City.
The draw ended a remarkable 23-game winning stretch at Etihad Stadium across all competitions for Pep Guardiola's City and spoiled a record-breaking day for Erling Haaland.
The 23-year-old Haaland, who tops the league with 14 goals, became the fastest player to score 50 Premier League goals when he slotted in a left-footed shot after a poor clearance from keeper Allison Becker. He took 48 games to reach the 50 mark, smashing Andy Cole's record of 65.
The marquee match kicked off the return of the Premier League from the international break, and it did not disappoint, with Alexander-Arnold silencing Etihad's sea of sky blue supporters in the 80th minute when Mohamed Salah teed him up on the edge of the box for a blistering low shot into the corner.
Haaland's goal was his first against Liverpool in a City shirt and came despite questions about the big striker's status after he withdrew from the Norway squad after picking up an ankle injury in a Nov. 16 friendly against the Faroe Islands.
City, who were missing Jack Grealish due to illness, had a second-half goal by Ruben Dias disallowed after VAR ruled Manuel Akanji had interfered with the keeper.
The home side then peppered keeper Allison Becker with shots in a frenzied final few minutes, including a Haaland header off a corner that sailed just wide of the net.
Liverpool had their chances as well, including an early Darwin Nunez header from Salah's cross that Ederson had to leap to bat away.
Chelsea were trounced 4-1 by Newcastle, while Brighton held on with 10 men against Nottingham Forest for a 3-2 victory.
Luton fans celebrated their first home win this season in their 2-1 defeat of Crystal Palace.
While Burnley's wait for the first home points of their campaign continues as they lost 2-1 to West Ham United.
- Reuters