The primary cracks seem in Arsenal’s bid for the English Premier League identify, simply earlier than the group’s greatest recreation of the season.
A 1-1 draw at house to Brentford on Saturday got here a presen next a lackluster 1-0 defeat at Everton.
Slightly a layout of effects because the chief would have preferred to go into the large Wednesday, when second-placed Manchester Town proceed to the Emirates Stadium.
5 issues isolated the groups, even though Town may just leave that after the protecting champions host Aston Villa on Sunday. Beat Arsenal too, and Town may even climb to first park – regardless of having performed one recreation extra.
Arsenal have been flat in opposition to a Brentford facet who – following Everton’s playbook – defended in numbers and struck at the split, prominent to plethora of barren ownership from Mikel Arteta’s facet.
Leandro Trossard’s first purpose for Arsenal since transferring from Brighton gave the hosts the govern within the 66th slight when he transformed a Bukayo Saka move.
Ivan Toney claimed Brentford’s equalizer with a close-range header 8 mins upcoming next Arsenal didn’t unclouded a free-kick.
It’s the first era this season that Arsenal have long gone consecutive video games with out a win, and most effective the second one era the group have dropped issues at house.
“Games are won by margins in this league,” Arteta stated, “and when you take the margins away it gets really tough. The team again put in a really good performance today, but we didn’t not got the three points.
NEWCASTLE HELD
Newcastle have finally reached some kind of sticky patch too.
The Saudi side drew 1-1 against relegation-threatened Bournemouth a week after drawing 1-1 against West Ham at home. In fact, Newcastle have had five draws in their last six league games.
Newcastle cling to fourth place but all those draws will give hope to the chasing pack.
TOTTENHAM’S BAD DAY
Tottenham have lost a game and one of their key players.
As if being beaten by Leicester 4-1 wasn’t bad enough, Tottenham saw star midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur go off in the second half with what looked like a serious leg injury ahead of a last-16 game against AC Milan in the Champions League. week.
Bentancur put Tottenham ahead but Leicester responded with goals from Nampalys Mendy, James Maddison, Kelechi Iheanacho and Harvey Barnes.
Manager Antonio Conte was back in the Spurs dugout after gallbladder surgery.
FELIX’S FIRST GOAL
João Félix’s second game for Chelsea went better than his first.
The Portuguese striker scored his first goal for the club in a 1-1 draw at West Ham on his return from a three-game suspension following a dismissal on his debut a month ago.
Felix guided home a volley off a cross from another new signing, Enzo Fernandez, in the 16th minute only for Emerson Palmieri – a former Chelsea player – to equalize in the 28th.
It was a third draw in a row for the expensively constructed side of Chelsea, who languish in ninth place.
FACING THE BAG
Southampton manager Nathan Jones’ job is on the line after Saints squandered a lead in a 2-1 home loss to Wolverhampton, who played over an hour with 10 men and scored goals in the 72nd and 87th minute.
January signing Joao Gomes scored the winner to leave Southampton in last place and four points from safety.
Under Jones, who replaced Ralph Hasenhuttl three months ago, Southampton have lost seven of their eight league games.
As the full-time whistle was greeted by a deafening chorus of boos, Jones headed straight into the tunnel.
“I’ve never done this in my life before,” Jones stated. “In terms of 390 games, I’ve never done that, but I’m not sure clapping would have shown respect.”
When requested if this used to be more likely to be his extreme recreation in rate, Jones responded, “I have no idea.”
Fulham beat Nottingham Woodland 2-0 to climb to 7th park, and Brighton have been held via Crystal Palace at 1-1.
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Steve Douglas is on https://twitter.com/sdouglas80
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Extra AP football: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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