Arsenal gained the battle of set items, beating Chelsea 2-1 to maintain Manchester Metropolis at bay. In a recreation that provided few clearcut probabilities from open play, it was a well-known story of Arsenal overpowering their opponents from nook kicks. Gabriel bullied Reece James to arrange William Saliba for his or her first purpose and Jurriën Timber punished a flailing Robert Sánchez for his or her second. Mikel Arteta’s facet have equalled the report for essentially the most targets scored from corners in a Premier League season (16) with 9 video games nonetheless to go. In the meantime, Chelsea have conceded seven targets from set items in Liam Rosenior’s first 13 video games in all competitions. Regardless of posing a menace offensively by Reece James’s supply for Piero Hincapié’s personal purpose, they repeatedly didn’t match Arsenal’s physicality when defending. Xaymaca Awoyungbo
2
Glasner is nice, no matter he thinks
After his declare final month that he was “simply not adequate” to be Crystal Palace supervisor, Oliver Glasner has proven the polar reverse. His group gained their subsequent two video games – in opposition to Wolves and Zrinjski Mostar – and whereas they misplaced 2-1 at Manchester United on Sunday, the Eagles took the lead at Previous Trafford and may need ended with the victory however for the double-whammy of Maxence Lacroix selecting up a purple card and conceding the penalty that offered Bruno Fernandes’ leveller. The Austrian is enthused, too. “Completely. The performances weren’t that unhealthy,” he mentioned. “The best way the group is preventing, even right here below tough circumstances, offers me religion till the top of the season.” Palace’s determination to not sack Glasner after his outburst now appears sensible. Jamie Jackson
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Grey unfairly vulnerable to Jonah standing
Poor Archie Grey. Within the season he turned 17 he was an unused substitute six instances as Leeds have been relegated. Now, on the ripe previous age of 19, he’s an everyday starter in a Tottenham facet that, unthinkably, discover themselves in critical hazard of the drop. He dangers turning into a Jonah determine earlier than he’s sufficiently old to get an HGV licence. But none of that is his fault. Fairly Grey’s exceptional versatility means he’s all the time the participant shuffled round. He’s a holding midfielder, however he’s been repeatedly deployed at centre-back for Tottenham. Final week in opposition to Arsenal he was used as a right-wingback, and at Fulham he was at left-back. It was his surge ahead and cross along with his supposedly weaker foot that introduced the Tottenham purpose. Maybe adversity will toughen him, however the worry is that the failure of others drags him down. Jonathan Wilson
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Pickford basks in denying Newcastle
As a disconsolate Eddie Howe started his post-match interviews, the jubilant chants of departing Everton followers on the concourses outdoors penetrated the interior partitions of St James’ Park. “He’s a Mackem, he’s a Blue. He’s a Toffee by and thru. He hates Newcastle, he hates the Shite [Liverpool], Jordan Pickford’s dynamite,” they chorused as David Moyes and his gamers celebrated the 3-2 win that consigned Newcastle to a very chastening defeat. With out Pickford, although, it might have ended 3-3. When Sandro Tonali struck an ideal, thunderous volley in stoppage time an equaliser appeared inevitable. Or a minimum of it did till Pickford in some way tipped the ball over the bar. “It felt good,” mentioned the lifelong Sunderland supporter, who started his profession on the Stadium of Mild and is routinely baited by Newcastle followers. “Tonali’s hit an absolute rocket, he’s caught it actually candy. I feel it’s my finest save ever.” In marked distinction Nick Pope’s hopes of becoming a member of Pickford in England’s World Cup squad have been absolutely dented by the error that permitted Beto to attain Everton’s second purpose. Louise Taylor
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Semenyo savouring profitable mentality
Antoine Semenyo was the match-winner at Leeds, making up for Erling Haaland’s absence as Manchester Metropolis continued to maintain the strain on Arsenal. It was not a classic efficiency from Pep Guardiola’s facet but it surely provided proof of grit and willpower. Semenyo was alert when a uncommon likelihood arrived to take care of his effective run since becoming a member of from Bournemouth. “I really feel like within the month and a bit that I’ve been right here, my mentality has shifted,” Semenyo mentioned. “It’s simply win, win, win, win, win. And after we are profitable, defend like our lives rely on it.” He has scored six targets for his new membership already and is a vital element within the battle for the title. “I felt like I simply wish to contribute the easiest way I can. So if I’m scoring targets, nice,” Semenyo mentioned. “I feel there’s larger issues that we’re trying to obtain as a group, and clearly as people, however we simply need that title. That’s crucial factor for me.” Will Unwin
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Damsgaard’s wild bookends
Lots occurred between Mikkel Damsgaard’s two targets at Turf Moor. To be particular: 86 minutes, 5 targets and what Burnley thought was a accomplished comeback from three down. The opener of this seven-goal thriller was as unlikely because the occasions that adopted as Damsgaard, not the most important bodily presence, headed in Dango Ouattara’s nook. The Brentford midfielder was then in his extra ordinary place as chief creator, sliding a cross in behind for Igor Thiago to double their lead. After Zian Flemming thought he had not solely hauled Burnley stage however put them 4-3 up within the second half – just for his second to be disallowed for offside – Damsgaard put Brentford again in entrance as he touched down Rico Henry’s cross and drilled into the far nook in stoppage time. The Denmark worldwide, a constant performer as a No 10 in Keith Andrews’ system, had not scored for his membership since September. This can most likely make up for it. Burnley’s Ashley Barnes, aged 36, has not scored within the Premier League for nearly 4 years. After his even-later equaliser was scrubbed off by the video assistant referee, that wait goes on. Billy Munday
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Reds flip nook on set-piece targets
Liverpool’s transformation into set-piece specialists was lengthy overdue for Arne Slot, and elementary to victory in opposition to West Ham, though the top coach was reluctant to enter element on the explanations for it. “Issues went again to regular,” was his clarification for the way a group that had scored the fewest set-piece targets within the Premier League by 1 January (three) have transformed greater than another since (9). The response appeared a courtesy to Aaron Briggs, the previous set-piece coach who left Liverpool in December, and recognition that the group at the moment are outperforming their anticipated targets, each when it comes to scoring and defending set items, having underperformed at each within the first half of the season. Since Briggs’s departure the set-piece analyst Lewis Mahoney has taken on extra duty and Liverpool have delivered extra inswinging corners in the direction of the six-yard field this yr. The outcomes are placing – on Saturday Liverpool grew to become the primary group to attain three targets from corners within the first half of a Premier League recreation for 10 years – and might be key to the pursuit of Champions League qualification. Andy Hunter
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Evergreen Welbeck joins Vardy membership
Danny Welbeck’s profitable purpose in opposition to Nottingham Forest means he has joined an unique membership. The Brighton striker took his season’s tally within the Premier League to 10, to match his earlier finest from final yr and have become the primary participant since Jamie Vardy to succeed in double figures whereas aged 33 or older. Welbeck’s scientific end in opposition to Forest confirmed all of the nous he has collected in virtually twenty years within the high flight as he held off his marker earlier than unleashing an unstoppable shot. Fabian Hürzeler believes the 35-year-old is in the perfect situation since his arrival as head coach on the south coast in 2024. “It’s how he behaves as knowledgeable, how he’s there for the group on and off the pitch,” he mentioned. “He appears to be in his finest form ever, and due to this fact for me it’s no coincidence. He all the time tries to push himself.” Ed Aarons
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Hill typifies Bournemouth’s cherrypicking
Bournemouth misplaced a complete defence and a goalkeeper final summer time however are one of many hardest groups to beat on this season’s Premier League. Andoni Iraola repeatedly laments an lack of ability to complete off opponents, with a division-leading 12 attracts, although solely Arsenal have overwhelmed Bournemouth in 2026. The membership’s unearthing of expertise, trusting gamers from the Soccer League, continues to bear fruit. James Hill started his profession at Fleetwood, ready his flip. “It’s taken some time for me to truly construct a run of video games collectively, however I’ve labored exhausting,” mentioned the centre-back who arrived in 2022 however is seizing the chance to strike up a partnership with Marcos Senesi, Adrien Truffert and Álex Jiménez, and Djordje Petrovic in purpose. “At first of the season, I couldn’t even make the squad,” he mentioned after Saturday’s bruising battle with Sunderland’s forwards. Hill boasts a powerful lengthy throw, growing his significance to Iraola’s much-admired and resilient group. John Brewin
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Agitated Emery wants swift riposte
On the identical night that unfounded conspiracies raged that Jim Carrey despatched a clone to movie awards in Paris, it was tempting to wonder if Unai Emery had performed an analogous trick at Molineux. The Villa supervisor grew more and more agitated throughout his facet’s 2-0 defeat and headed down the tunnel as Wolves savoured their second purpose however afterwards he was at pains to be upbeat, calling for perspective as he talked of how solely 5 months in the past he was fretting about relegation. Now the most important worry is lacking out on the Champions League. Emery insisted he had parked his disappointment as Villa prolonged their depressing run to 3 wins in 10 league matches, a shock loss heightening the significance of Wednesday’s date with Chelsea at Villa Park. “I’m motivated and so, so excited with the goals we now have in entrance of us,” Emery mentioned. “On Wednesday, Chelsea. What a match. On recreation 29, we’re going to play in entrance of them within the desk.” Ben Fisher
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