In the north London derby of the English Premier League (EPL) between Arsenal and Tottenham on Sunday, the gunners snatched all three points as they were able to hold their nerves to bag a 3-2 victory on the road which initially looked otherwise, whereas other title challengers Manchester City also emerged victorious at Nottingham.
In the most awaited EPL game of the weekend, Tottenham dominated the possession from the beginning and created more chances but Arsenal took the lead in the 15th minute from a Bukayo Saka corner which Spurs midfielder Hojbjerg wrongly put into their own net.
In the 27th minute the visitors doubled their lead through a classic counter attack when Saka’s clinical left footed strike was beyond reach of goalkeeper Vicario. German forward Kai Havertz continued his sublime form when he scored his twelfth EPL goal of the season in the 38th minute from a header resulting from a Declan Rice corner.
The complexion of the game changed in the 64th minute when a horrendous error by Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya gifted Spurs defender Cristian Romero an opportunity to register his name in the scoresheet and the Argentine gracefully accepted it.
The home side got another lifeline when Ben Davies was wrongly kicked inside the box by Declan Rice in the 85th minute to earn a penalty and captain and top scorer Son Heung-Min converted the same with firm conviction to give some nerve wracking final few moments for the visiting players and supporters. However, the EPL leaders somehow held on to their slender lead which also kept alive the hope of their first premier league title in 20 years.
Meanwhile, at the City Ground, relegation threatened Nottingham Forest were entertaining three times defending champions Manchester City, hoping to gain something for themselves and to create any twist on the other end of the EPL table.
In fact, the Reds started relatively well, causing threats in the City defence quite frequently but the visitors eventually took the lead in the 32nd minute when a Kevin De Bruyne corner was slotted home by Josko Gvardiol with a slicing header from the near post.
EPL top scorer Erling Haaland who was introduced in the hour mark made an instant impact in the attacking third and scored his goal number 21 in the 71st minute to ensure full points for the champions. Belgian playmaker De Bruyne who also provided the assist for Haaland’s goal, literally orchestrated the City midfield throughout the entire game.
With Arsenal and Manchester City both grabbing maximum points in EPL this weekend and Liverpool agonizingly dropping points at West Ham, the league title is now looking like a two horse race at the fag end of the season with an advantage to City as they have a game in hand. The gunners have 80 points in 35 matches while City are on 79 points playing a match fewer. Liverpool are on 3rd place with 75 points in 35 matches.
At the other end of the table, Sheffield United will play championship football next season as they have been relegated after a thumping 5-1 defeat at Newcastle. Burnley, who are also in the drop zone, have snatched a point against Manchester United on Saturday which may prove crucial for their survival.
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