Arsenal move seven points clear after Saka sinks Brighton as Chelsea and Newcastle also win
Arsenal ground out a 1-0 win at Brighton on Tuesday night to open up a seven-point gap at the top of the Premier League, with second-placed Manchester City dropping points in a 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest.
Saka's deflected strike enough for Arsenal
Bukayo Saka scored the only goal at the Amex Stadium in the ninth minute. His shot from the edge of the area took a deflection off Carlos Baleba and squeezed through the legs of Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. It was not a classic Arsenal performance, but Mikel Arteta's side did what title contenders do: won ugly on a difficult away night.
Arsenal now sit on 67 points from 30 matches, seven clear of Manchester City on 60. The gap has been building steadily, and City's failure to beat Forest at the Etihad only widened it further.
Man City pegged back twice by Forest
City looked like they had things under control after Antoine Semenyo opened the scoring in the 31st minute. Morgan Gibbs-White levelled for Forest on 56 minutes, and when Rodri restored City's lead six minutes later, it seemed like business as usual. But Elliot Anderson struck on 76 minutes to earn Forest a deserved point.
It was a result that will frustrate Pep Guardiola's side as they try to keep pace with Arsenal. Forest, meanwhile, continue to punch above their weight this season.
Joao Pedro hat-trick fires Chelsea past Villa
Chelsea made light work of Aston Villa at Villa Park, winning 4-1 with Joao Pedro stealing the headlines. The Brazilian scored three times, with Cole Palmer adding the fourth. Douglas Luiz grabbed a consolation for Villa. The result lifts Liam Rosenior's side to 48 points and keeps their top-four push alive.
Ten-man Newcastle beat Man United
Newcastle produced the night's most dramatic finish, beating Manchester United 2-1 at St James' Park despite playing the entire second half with ten men after Jacob Ramsey picked up a second yellow card for simulation just before half-time.
Anthony Gordon had already put Newcastle ahead from the penalty spot in first-half added time. Casemiro headed in a free-kick deep in stoppage time to level, but substitute William Osula curled in a spectacular winner from outside the box in the 90th minute. The defeat ends Michael Carrick's seven-game unbeaten run as Manchester United's interim head coach.
West Ham edge Fulham
In the night's other fixture, Crysencio Summerville scored the only goal as West Ham beat Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage, a result that boosts their survival hopes.
