by The Premier League title race took another turn as leaders Arsenal surrendered a two-goal lead for the second week running, as Manchester City built up the pressure with a 3-1 win over Leicester.
Wolves and Bournemouth have both enjoyed back-to-back victories with wins against Brentford and Tottenham, respectively, to put some breathing room between them and the relegation zone.
Here, the PA news agency takes a look at five things we’ve learned from the latest round of Premier League fixtures.
Arsenal lose more points
After Manchester City beat Leicester 3-1 on Saturday, Mikel Arteta’s leaders looked to be in control of the pace and on course to re-establish a six-point lead over their title rivals after scoring twice in the top 10 minutes against West Ham thanks to Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard.
But, a week after losing a 2-0 lead to Liverpool, Arsenal once again allowed their opponents back into the game when Said Benrahma netted a first-half penalty after Lucas Paqueta was brought down from Gabriel.
The Gunners had chances to restore their two-goal lead, but Bukayo Saka put his spot-kick wide before Jarrod Bowen’s volley cost Arsenal two vital points.
The result leaves Arsenal just four points clear of City, who have a game in hand, with the sides duel in what could be a title decider later this month.
Chelsea’s misery continues
The poor start to Frank Lampard’s interim reign at Chelsea continued as the Blues relinquished their 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 to a dominant Brighton side.
After losing his first game on the bench against Wolves, followed by a European defeat by Real Madrid, Lampard’s return to Stamford Bridge was marred by goals from Danny Welbeck and Julio Enciso which condemned his Chelsea to a third defeat consecutive.
Victory for Brighton keeps them in seventh place and on course for a European place next season, while Chelsea are now winless in five, with their European qualification hopes all but over.
Manchester United are battling injury problems
Manchester United sealed a third successive win and clean sheet in the Premier League, despite the recent pile-up in their nursing room.
Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane were both substituted for injuries in United’s midweek draw with Sevilla – with Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw, Alejandro Garnacho and Scott McTominay also ruled out – and the situation was not improved when Marcel Sabitzer was injured in the heat -up before Sunday’s encounter with Nottingham Forest.
Goals from Antony and Diogo Dalot secured a 2-0 victory for United at the City Ground, but boss Erik ten Hag is hoping for some positive fitness news soon with his side still battling on three fronts.
Fight for the warm-up of the first four places
The race for Champions League places looks set to go to the brink with at least five teams vying for the two places behind Arsenal and Manchester City.
Manchester United are on pole position after climbing to third but fourth placed Newcastle and fifth placed Tottenham both suffered defeats this weekend, allowing in-form Aston Villa and Brighton to close the gap with victories. Liverpool, who play Leeds on Monday night, have the games in hand and could even push late.
Villa are progressing fast, snapping up five straight victories after an impressive 3-0 win against Newcastle at Villa Park.
Tottenham missed a chance to close the gap after Dango Ouattara’s stealing effort snatched a 3-2 win at Bournemouth, despite Son Heung-min giving Spurs the lead.
Brighton, meanwhile, are now just seven points behind Newcastle with a game in hand following their win at Stamford Bridge.
Shot for the last four
This weekend proved to be bad for the bottom four teams in their battle to avoid relegation with Southampton, Leicester, Forest and Everton all being defeated while many of their rivals scored victories.
Eberechi Eze’s brace for ascendant Crystal Palace at St Mary’s left Saints four points adrift of safety with just seven games to play, while Erling Haaland and company did damage in the first 45 minutes as Leicester lost to Manchester City and Forest’s defeat on Sunday ensured the bottom three remained unchanged.
Everton failed to take advantage of this and went on a fourth game winless after losing to Brentford, the Toffees sitting outside the drop zone on goal difference.
Conversely, wins for Wolves and Bournemouth have provided them some breathing room and they now sit seven and six points respectively above the bottom three, while David Moyes’ 15th-placed Hammers fought back from two goals down against Arsenal to add another precious point. to their count.
