Arsenal weathered a bruising afternoon at Stamford Bridge as a volatile clash with Chelsea ended 1-1, keeping the league leaders just out of reach of their nearest challengers. Reduced to 10 men after Moises Caicedo was sent off for a reckless tackle in the first half, Chelsea stunned the visitors by drawing first blood through Trevoh Chalobah’s towering header early in the second period.
But the Gunners, showing steel beneath the finesse, equalized through Mikel Merino, whose darting run and header from Bukayo Saka’s pinpoint cross rescued a critical point. The result preserves Arsenal’s five-point cushion at the summit and extends their unbeaten run to 17 matches across all competitions.
The match was a showcase of grit more than grace, with both managers acknowledging the emotional intensity. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca noted his side’s superior form before the dismissal, while Mikel Arteta highlighted Arsenal’s resilience in another high-octane test of their title credentials.
Liverpool Find the Finish Line Again
Elsewhere, Liverpool snapped a concerning dip in form with a commanding 2-0 win over West Ham. All eyes were on Alexander Isak, whose club-record signing had raised expectations yet failed to deliver until now. That changed with a cool finish midway through the second half — his first Premier League goal since joining from Newcastle.
Cody Gakpo sealed the result deep into stoppage time, capitalizing on West Ham’s desperation to equalize. The win not only eased growing pressure on Arne Slot but also restored momentum for a side looking to reassert itself among the top four contenders.
Manchester United Show Spine at Selhurst Park
Manchester United finally breathed life into their faltering campaign with a 2-1 comeback win over Crystal Palace. Jean-Philippe Mateta’s first-half penalty threatened to deepen United’s troubles, but Joshua Zirkzee — ending a goal drought stretching nearly a year — drew the visitors level. Mason Mount then completed the turnaround with a composed strike in a much-needed morale boost for manager Ruben Amorim’s squad.
It was a rare display of character and adaptation from United, who’ve often stumbled under pressure this season. Amorim praised his side’s ability to exploit Palace’s fading legs, hinting at a more ruthless version of United taking shape.
Aston Villa Surge Into Top Four
Aston Villa continued their silent charge up the table with a narrow but hard-fought 1-0 win over Wolves, courtesy of a thunderous Boubacar Kamara strike. Unai Emery, once under fire after a poor start, now finds his team sitting fourth with seven wins in their last eight matches.
Kamara’s goal, a laser-guided missile from outside the box, was a fitting emblem of Villa’s resurgence — precise, explosive, and unmistakably intentional. Emery credited the transformation to the squad’s response to early-season adversity.
Brighton Bury Old Ghosts at Forest
Brighton executed a clinical 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest, exorcising the demons of their catastrophic 7-0 loss at the same venue earlier this year. Goals from Maxim De Cuyper and Stefanos Tzimas ensured the Seagulls left with redemption and a rise to fifth in the table.
Manager Fabian Hurzeler acknowledged the symbolic weight of the win, stating his side had come not just to collect points but to rewrite history — and they did just that, with calm execution and tactical control.
Closing Note:
This Premier League round offered more than just goals and points — it revealed the character of champions, the hunger of the chasing pack, and the quiet awakening of teams once thought adrift. As the season charges toward its midpoint, it’s no longer just about who leads — it’s about who adapts, who responds, and who refuses to break.
