League-leader Arsenal closes the year with an entertaining win over Brighton, City spills expensive points | Foreign football

On a visit to southern England, Mikel Arteta’s men didn’t waste any time. After 65 seconds, the ball was already in the net of the Brighton, who managed to reach the left row of the Premier League this season with attractive and effective football. Bukayo Saka, however, made it clear with an early goal from the rebound that there was little to be gained for Roberto De Zerbi’s team. Just before half-time, the game seemed largely decided when Odegaard worked a falling ball from a corner kick into the ropes.

In the second half, Brighton was hit after hit, but always recovered nicely. Shortly after the break, Eddie Nketiah put the ball behind goal Robert Sanchez for the third time via a rebound. After a sudden goal from Kaoru Mitoma, all hopes of the home crowd were shattered again by Gabriel Martinelli, who passed Sanchez after a lightning-fast counter.

But the home team did not give up again. Via Evan Ferguson, Brighton came to 2-4 with fifteen minutes to play, and in the 89th minute Kaoru Mitoma thought to make the game even more exciting. However, the Japanese was offside, so his team didn’t have enough of the 6 minutes of injury time to make it an exciting game.

With the win, Arsenal closes the calendar year with a 7-point lead over number 2: Manchester City. The Citizens spilled precious points earlier in the day. Pep Guardiola’s team did not go further than 1-1 against Everton at home. Erling Haaland scored his 21st (!) league goal of the season, but thanks to a beautiful goal from Demarai Gray it was not enough for the victory.

There seemed to be no problem for City early in the first half. After a brilliant attack over many checkers, Riyad Mahrez was able to pass to Haaland, who appeared in the penalty area at the right time to shoot in the 1-0. The rest of the first half was dominated by the home side, but without any extra goals.

The game only became more attractive from then on, but despite chances on both sides and a strong final phase from City, the goals failed to materialize. The draw means that if they win against Brighton tonight, League leaders Arsenal can increase the lead over City to 7 points.

With Sven Botman in the base at home, Newcastle was unable to beat Leeds, where Patrick Struijk played in the back and Crysencio Summerville came on. Eddie Howe’s team could have strengthened the surprising third place in the Premier League with a win, but was unable to find the goal at home (0-0).

Furthermore, former Feyenoord player Marcos Senesi saw how his Bournemouth lost 0-2 at home against Crystal Palace. It was a party at Fulham, because the winning goal was headed in in the 88th minute by Joao Palhinha on a pass from Kenny Tete, enough for a 2-1 win over Southampton.