Leaders Arsenal held by rock-solid Newcastle

Arsenal’s Premier League title charge was checked as the leaders could find no way through third-placed Newcastle United in a disappointing 0-0 draw at The Emirates on Tuesday.

Victory would have given Arsenal a 10-point lead but they had to make do with a point against a rock-solid Newcastle who defended superbly to remain unbeaten since August.

The closest the hosts came to breaking the deadlock was in the 87th minute when Newcastle keeper Nick Pope made a great save to keep out a low shot by Eddie Nketiah while Arsenal also had a vociferous late penalty claim waved away.

Newcastle, who have the stingiest defence in the top flight this season, were content to sit deep for most of the evening although Joelinton wasted a good opportunity before the break.

The draw was a fair result though, leaving Arsenal on 44 points from 17 games, eight ahead of Manchester City who have played a game fewer and nine in front of Newcastle.

Everton suffer defensive collapse in 4-1 home loss to Brighton
Everton were thrashed 4-1 at home by Brighton & Hove Albion who scored three goals in five second-half minutes in their first Premier League game of 2023 to leave the Blues hovering above the relegation zone after another horrendous defensive display.

Winger Kaoru Mitoma, who scored in Brighton’s 4-2 home defeat by Arsenal on New Year’s Eve, wasted an early chance with a header but more than made up for it with a clinical run and finish in the 14th minute to open the scoring.

Brighton’s teenaged Irish striker Evan Ferguson, rewarded with his first league start after coming off the bench to score against Arsenal, blasted home a first-time shot seven minutes into the second half to extend the visitors’ lead.

That goal prompted a complete defensive collapse by Everton as Solly March was allowed to drift across the box and fire home in the 54th minute before Pascal Gross made it four by finishing a counter-attack with a lovely chipped finish in the 57th.

It took until stoppage time for Everton to get a consolation goal, Demarai Gray scoring from the spot after Alex Iwobi was fouled by keeper Roberto Sanchez, but it was cold comfort for the home fans, who booed their side loudly at the final whistle.

The result leaves Everton in 16th place on 15 points after 18 games, a point above the drop zone and only three ahead of basement side Southampton, with the bottom four having a game in hand on the Blues. Brighton are up to eighth on 27 points.

Man United continue fine form with comfortable win over Bournemouth
Manchester United made it four wins from four without conceding in all competitions since the World Cup break as they cruised to a 3-0 victory over lowly Bournemouth in the Premier League on Tuesday to consolidate their hold on fourth spot.

Chances were few and far between in the Manchester rain in the first half, but Brazilian midfielder Casemiro did make one count by volleying home from a free-kick to give United the lead in the 23rd minute.

Bournemouth never really threatened to get an equaliser, with the game effectively over as a contest after a rare goal from England full-back Luke Shaw doubled the hosts’ advantage early in the second half.

United missed a flurry of late chances to add a third before the club’s top scorer this season, Marcus Rashford, added one more to his tally late on to put the seal on another impressive victory for Erik ten Hag’s side.

The win gives United a five-point cushion over Tottenham Hotspur in fifth and draws them level on points with third-placed Newcastle United, who drew 0-0 at leaders Arsenal. Bournemouth stay 15th, two points above the relegation zone.