Saturday’s Premier League games produced some big results in the race for the title and the Champions League spots. Here is what happened in Saturday’s top-flight clashes:
North London derby ends all square
The first Premier League game of the weekend saw Tottenham and Arsenal played out a 1-1 draw at Wembley in a game that had everything, including a last gasp penalty miss and a red card.
Arsenal were the brighter team in the opening exchanges and Alexandre Lacazette missed a glorious opportunity prior to opening the scoring on 16 minutes. However, the Frenchman was involved in the opening goal, playing midfielder Aaron Ramsey through on goal and the Welshman kept his cool, going around Hugo Lloris and firing into an empty net.
Spurs struggled to get back into the game. However, Harry Kane saw a goal disallowed for offside, before Bernd Leno produced two sublime saves from Christian Eriksen and Moussa Sissoko.
Lacazette missed another good chance in the opening moments of the second half, slicing an effort wide of goal, while Toby Alderweireld volleyed into the side netting before the home side equalised with just 16 minutes left on the clock.
Kane appeared to be standing in an offside position prior to Shkodran Mustafi barging him over in the penalty area. The England captain stepped up and scored the penalty kick himself.
Arsenal had a golden opportunity to win the clash on 89 minutes. Davinson Sanchez fouled Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the area, only for Lloris to save the resulting spot-kick from the Gabonese striker. There was still time for Lucas Torreira to receive a 95th-minute red card for a tackle on Danny Rose.
The result sees Tottenham remain four points clear of Arsenal. However, fourth place Manchester United are now trailing the north London club by just three points. The Gunners are a point behind United in the race for a top-four spot and remain outsiders to finish in the Champions League spots.
Reigning champions scrape a narrow win on the south coast
Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City recorded a narrow 1-0 win at Bournemouth, who produced a highly disciplined defensive display.
City struggled to create much in a first half that saw Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne limp off with a muscle injury. David Silva had a rare sight of goal, but dragged an effort wide of goal, while Nicolas Otamendi then fired over the bar with an acrobatic effort on goal.
The Citizens scored the decisive goal ten minutes in the second period through substitute Riyad Mahrez. Unsurprisingly, the goal came from patient build-up. A move involving Oleksandr Zinchenko eventually saw the Algerian playmaker fire home a low effort from a tight angle.
City came close to doubling their lead on 81 minutes, as Sergio Aguero’s cross-cum-shot hit the underside of the bar after a touch from Artur Boruc. The Cherries goalkeeper then made a good save from Raheem Sterling before Mahrez smashed the rebound off target with a gaping empty net.
In the end, all that mattered was the three points, which moved Pep Guardiola’s team two points clear of title rivals Liverpool at the top of the table. Bournemouth remain 12th place in the table, nine points clear of the relegation zone.
Saturday’s other Premier League results
Brighton 1-0 Huddersfield
Burnley 1-3 Crystal Palace
Manchester United 3-2 Southampton
Wolves 2-0 Cardiff
West Ham 2-0 Newcastle
Who produced the most important result in Saturday’s Premier League games?
