Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes have taken a dent after a 1-1 draw with Brentford.
The Gunners entered the match hoping to stretch their lead in the Premier League to eight points, and rebound from a shock upset at the hands of Everton in their last match.
Arsenal dominated the ball in the first half, but the biggest chances fell to the visitors. Ivan Toney hit the post with time and space in the Gunners’ box, while Bryan Mbeumo had a goal rather harshly disallowed for a foul in the build-up.
Mathias Jensen was causing chaos with his long throws, and Toney was dominating his match-up with the Arsenal centre backs.
Ten minutes into the second half, it was Toney again with a big chance to score but his shot was inches wide of Aaron Ramsdale’s goal.
Just after the hour, Arsenal turned to Leandro Trossard. Gabriel Martinelli was withdrawn and within five minutes, the change had paid off.
The Belgian put his new team ahead after an excellent ball into the box from Bukayo Saka.
Toney made amends for his earlier misses in the 74th minute with a header from close range.
Arsenal just couldn’t clear a Brentford free-kick, and the England man put it away. VAR was consulted, but after a prolonged check the goal stood.
Crystal Palace drew 1-1 with Brighton at Selhurst Park. In the 34th minute, Pervis Estupinan thought he had scored his first goal for Brighton, but it was ruled out by VAR for offside as he latched onto a through ball from Pascal Gross.
But Solly March put the visitors ahead with his fifth goal in his last seven matches in the 63rd minute after meeting Estupinan’s cross at the back post.
Palace equalised in the 69th minute through James Tomkins, after Robert Sanchez dropped what looked to be a straightforward cross to catch.
Southampton lost 2-1 to Wolves at St Mary’s.
Carlos Alcaraz broke the deadlock in the 24th minute with a right-footed strike which went in off the post.
Wolves were reduced to ten men three minutes later after Mario Lemina was handed a second yellow card.
A Jan Bednarek own goal was the equaliser for Wolves in the 71st minute after he sent the ball into his own net with Adama Traore forcing the mistake.
Wolves got their winner in the 87th minute through Joao Gomes who scored his first goal for the club.
Fulham have recorded their first Premier League win since January 12 with a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest.
A fine curling strike into the top corner from Wilian set them on their way, and the points were secured by Manor Solomon.
Forest will have to contend with injury problems as Scott McKenna and Willy Boly were both substituted in the seventh minute; the earliest any side has ever subbed off two starters in a Premier League game.
Earlier in the day Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw with West Ham. It was also a disappointing day for Tottenham after they lost 4-1 to Leicester.
Source: Eurosport
