FOOTBALL fans were treated treated to a midweek special with a lorry load of blockbuster Premier League clashes earlier tonight.
League leaders Liverpool scrapped for a point in an entertaining 3-3 draw with Newcastle.
Manchester City beat Nottingham Forest to end their run of seven games without a win.
Elsewhere, Chelsea kept up their unbeaten run in Premier League as they thrashed struggling Southampton 5-1.
- Kick off times: 7.30pm/8.15pm GMT
- TV/Stream FREE: Amazon Prime Video
FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS
Follow our live blog below…
Not aware
Mikel Arteta insists he had no idea Liverpool had dropped points going into the final quarter of an hour of Arsenal’s game with Manchester United.
Do we believe him?
He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I didn’t know as I was so happy celebrating in the dressing room.
“We got that news, but it is difficult to win this league. It is still very early.”
Never an issue with Pep
Kevin de Bruyne has rubbished rumours of a falling out with Pep Guardiola after starring for Manchester City in their win over Nottingham Forest.
He told BBC Sport: “Today is hopefully a first step to improve.
“It’s good to change the momentum. In some games we lost there were periods we weren’t playing bad.
“I know a lot has been said. There have never been issues between me and Pep. He knows I’ve been struggling. It’s painful and uncomfortable. I want to be back on the pitch. I felt good at the start of the season. I’m working hard to get back with my body. Maybe it’s going to be an up and down moment from now.
“Hopefully I can get back to my body with not much pain and then I’ll be fine.”
Still a couple of games to go
It’s been some midweek already – and it’s not finished there.
Two more games to come on Thursday night:
- Fulham vs Brighton
- Bournemouth vs Tottenham
Lost out
Ruben Amorim says the concession of goals from set pieces killed the game and believed there was nothing in the game outwith that.
He told Match of the Day: “The set pieces changed the game. We could’ve been more aggressive towards the Arsenal box. Until the set pieces the game didn’t have too many opportunities for both sides, the set pieces killed the game.
“They can put a lot of players near the goalkeeper and it’s almost impossible to fight for the ball but we have to manage to defend them and we already know we have to be better.
“We were committed and we lost to the set pieces.”
‘Special day’
Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal could’ve scored more than the two they did from set pieces today on a special milestone for the club.
He told Match of the Day: “A special day, 500 games in this stadium. We scored two set pieces, but we could’ve scored from open play many more. We lost two massive players for us in our backline but the team are still responding.
“The game opened up a little bit and we looked a real threat. Very pleased. It’s a joy to play in this stadium with that energy, it’s something incredible.
“It was one of the best [set-piece performances], we could’ve scored more and I’m very pleased with that.”
Mad game
It certainly was an eventful night at St James’ Park – and the stats back that up.
Twice trailing, Liverpool thought they’d won it late on before Fabian Schar’s late equaliser.
33 shots at goal across the night. Terrific.
‘Really proud’
Eddie Howe has revealed he’s proud of his players after a dramatic draw with Liverpool.
He told Amazon Prime Sport: “How do I feel? Positive, that was much better from us. You know with the quality Liverpool have off the bench we could have an issue and that’s what happened.
“But our mental quality came to the fore and we got the equaliser. We had chances to make it 2-0, we scored three goals and looked dynamic and energetic.
“I am really proud. We went toe-to-toe and matched them, it’s our best of the season. Our gameplan was to be ourselves which is difficult against a team like Liverpool, it’s a delicate balance.”
Backing his keeper
More from Arne Slot, who has backed his goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher after his costly mistake for Newcastle’s late equaliser.
He told BBC 5 Live: “He has done remarkably well for us and even today he was good for us.
“Unfortunately, he misjudged the situation.”
Speaking of O’Neil
Speaking after tonight’s drubbing, he said he has ‘no concerns’ about his position.
He said: “It was nowhere what it takes to compete at this level. We spoke about the physicality and test it would bring and we didn’t manage to cope.
“We gave ourselves no chance again in the game. To concede the first goal, not being able to get the wall in the right place after the work that goes in.
“The amount of goals we concede and how vulnerable we look from direct play and when teams put us under pressure is something that needs fixing and incredibly quickly.
“It’s going to take a lot of work to fix it.
“There’s a large part of me and a large part of the players who need to fix it. We’re working very hard to make sure we do fix it.
“I understand it (the chants towards him) fully. I’ve been here for what feels like quite a long time now. We’ve had some incredible moments, we’ve achieved some incredible things, some away wins, Stamford Bridge, West Brom, the ease in which we were able to move away from relegation last year despite what everyone thought, and so far this esason we’ve not been able to replicate that and I’m happy to accept my part of the blame.
“I have no idea (whether he’ll get the chance to continue). That’s not in my control. I have zero concerns about my position. I’ll give everything until I’m asked not to.”
Managers in trouble
Tell you something, it’s not been a great midweek for the managers under pressure.
First Julen Lopetegui’s West Ham were thumped 3-1 at Leicester last night.
Russell Martin watched his Southampton side ship five goals in a hammering from Chelsea.
The only one to get a result was Sean Dyche, who inflicted huge pain on Gary O’Neil and Wolves, who must now be clinging onto his job given their current issues.
Pep: “Win all that matters”
Pep Guardiola admits tonight was just about getting three points, in any way possible.
And he’s thrilled to have ‘incredible person’ Kevin de Bruyne back and available from the start – what a difference he makes.
He told BBC Sport: “We won. All that matters. Today is a good day.
“He [De Bruyne] played really good. Defensively he helped us a lot. Very good. I’m really pleased.
“He’s an incredible person. What he’s done these years with us have been outstanding. When he’s fit, maybe he can’t play every three days, but hopefully he can help us like he has since coming from Germany.”
Arne disappointement
Liverpool surrendered two points at the top of the league after drawing 3-3 in a stunning game at St James’ Park.
They twice came back from behind to lead 3-2 before Newcastle grabbed a 90th minute equaliser through Fabian Schar.
And manager Arne Slot said: “Two times we were one goal down and then 3-2 up, so mixed feelings.
“It feels like a disappointment to drop two points.
“We were outstanding in the second half but not good enough in the first half. In the end maybe 3-3 was what the game deserved.
“We made too many mistakes in the first half. We played a few times through them but the second half was so much better, we had much more dominance and control.
“We had two very tough games and had one day less to recover than Newcastle. They were more intense, more aggressive and if you’re able to change the game in the second half, that’s a very positive thing.”
How we stand
A look at how the Premier League table looks then after a bonkers Wednesday night.
Arsenal closing the gap on Liverpool to seven points, though still trail second place Chelsea on goal difference.
Man City keep pace with those after finally winning a game.
Premier League full time results
Oh what a night! Six games and 26 goals in a superb midweek special in the Premier League.
Here’s tonight’s full time results:
- Everton 4-0 Wolves
- Man City 3-0 Nottingham Forest
- Newcastle 3-3 Liverpool
- Southampton 1-5 Chelsea
- Arsenal 2-0 Man Utd
- Aston Villa 3-1 Brentford
‘Stuck to the plan’
Declan Rice hailed set piece coach Nico Jover as Arsenal scored both goals against Man Utd from set pieces.
He told Amazon Prime Sport: “What a night. Manchester United have a new manager so we knew it would be a test. We stuck to the game plan and we could’ve had three or four.
“When you go up for a corner it’s a chance to score a goal. To score both of them from corners, Nico [Jover, set piece coach] will be buzzing and I’m so happy.
“It’s more just seeing clips and I know the weight I need to put on the ball and it’s just about repetition. I put a few good balls in and could’ve had a couple of assists so it was nice to get one.”
Full time view from Graeme Bryce at Villa Park
Villa cured their mid-season hiccups with a deserved victory to end their recent eight-game winless stutter.
With Southampton next to visit Villa Park on Saturday, Unai Emery will be confident another home win will restore even more confidence.
And he’ll be hoping to complete a busy week with a hat-trick of wins when Villa head to Leipzig on Champions League duty next week.
Brentford’s dreams of playing in Europe will remain just that – until they cure their travel sickness.
FT! Aston Villa 3-1 Brentford
Rogers, Watkins and Cash grabbing the goals as Villa end their winless run in emphatic fashion.
FT! Arsenal 2-0 Manchester United
Huge win for the Gunners who close the gap at the top.
Ruben Amorim tasting defeat as Manchester United manager for the first time.
Closing stages
Into the latter stages now in the two later kick offs but the home sides both look in control.
Arsenal will close the gap on leaders Liverpool with this result.
Aston Villa will bring a long winless run to an end.
Unless….
Second half view of Graeme Bryce at Villa Park
Mikkel Damsgaard has restored some pride for Brentford, who have picked up the pace after the break.
The Dane pounced on Matty Cash’s headed clearance and cut inside Boubacar Kamara to slam the ball into the roof of Emi Martinez’s net to make it 3-1.
Surely Villa couldn’t throw it away now …. could they?
73 – GOAL! ARSENAL 2-0 Man Utd
The Gunners double their lead through WILLIAM SALIBA!
Surprise, surprise – it’s from a corner! Saka swings it in this time from the right to find Partey all alone at the back post.
He heads across the six-yard box and the ball flies into the back of the net off Saliba’s BACKSIDE and into the net.
He jumps into the crowd, what a moment this could be!
What a save!
What have we just seen!
Stunning from David Raya, if slightly for the cameras.
Arsenal’s attacking set pieces are good but they seemingly can’t defend them on this evidence as De Ligt looks to have equalised with a header on goal from 10 yards, only for Raya to spring to his left and keep it out on the goal line and claw it to safety.
Cracking save and the Gunners still lead 1-0.
Latest scores
- Everton 4-0 Wolves FT
- Man City 3-0 Nottingham Forest FT
- Newcastle 3-3 Liverpool FT
- Southampton 1-5 Chelsea FT
- Arsenal 1-0 Man Utd 67 mins
- Aston Villa 3-1 Brentford 64 mins
FT! Everton 4-0 Wolves
A memorable night for the Toffees who score four times to collect a vital three points.
Less memorable for Craig Dawson who bags himself two own goals – yikes!
54 – GOAL! Aston Villa 3-1 BRENTFORD
Comeback on at Villa Park? MIKKEL DAMSGAARD has one back…
Villa don’t deal with a cross into the box and it’s helped on towards the back post where Damsgaard collects it near the byline.
Villa are expecting the cross and the Bees’ man works room for himself inside the box onto his right foot and smashes beyond Martinez.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
