LONDON: Arsenal closed the gap on leaders Liverpool with a 2-1 Premier League victory at Nottingham Forest to kick off the midweek fixtures on Tuesday, while Luton Town moved out of the relegation zone with a 4-0 rout of Brighton & Hove Albion.

Fourth-placed Aston Villa suffered a 3-1 home defeat by Newcastle United, Crystal Palace came from behind to beat visiting Sheffield United 3-2 and struggling pair Fulham and Everton fought out a 0-0 draw at Craven Cottage.

Goals from Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka maintained the Gunners’ title push at the City Ground ahead of their clash at home to leaders Liverpool on Sunday.

Arsenal’s first away win since early December takes Mikel Arteta’s men within two points of Liverpool, who have a game in hand. They are on 46 points after 22 matches and climbed above Manchester City, who have 43 from 20.

Despite having 74% possession and 19 shots, the Gunners did not break the deadlock until the 65th minute when Jesus, who played despite struggling with fluid on his knee in the build-up to the match, scored from a very tight angle; his effort sneaking between the legs of former Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner.

Saka then fired home his 10th goal of the season from Jesus’ cross.

“We have to do what we have to do,” Arteta told BeIN Sports. “Perform the way that we were doing last year and start of this year, because performances were there, results not. Results are going our way now. We have some momentum, let’s go for it.”

Substitute Taiwo Awoniyi set up a grandstand finish when he outmuscled William Saliba to slot home on 89 minutes.

But it was too little, too late as Forest’s relegation fears grew with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side in 16th with 20 points, two points above the drop zone and with the threat of a points deduction hanging over the club for breaching the Premier League’s financial rules.

SCHAR SHINES FOR NEWCASTLE

Villa failed to join Arsenal on 46 points after losing at home in the league for the first time since February last year.

Unai Emery’s men had won 16 of their 17 Premier League games at Villa Park since, but gave themselves a mountain to climb as Newcastle centre-back Fabian Schar scored twice from corners in the first half.

Newcastle had the second worst away record in the league before kick-off, but were cruising towards their first victory on the road since September when Alex Moreno turned into his own net under pressure from Jacob Murphy.

“It was mixed emotions for me because that team is an elite team. The mixed part is that we haven’t seen that for a number of weeks,” said Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, whose squad has been ravaged by injuries this season. “We looked much like ourselves and we have players coming back.”

Ollie Watkins reduced the arrears with his first goal for seven games and then had a second ruled out for offside.

Villa’s loss kept them fourth in the table on 43 points, while Newcastle climbed above Brighton into seventh with 32.

ADEBAYO TREBLE

Luton’s Elijah Adebayo scored a hat-trick and the Hatters went two goals up against Brighton inside the first three minutes to the delight of a raucous Kenilworth Road crowd.

Adebayo opened his tally with a header from close range after 18 seconds before speedy winger Chiedozie Ogbene made it 2-0 after two minutes and 17 seconds when he beat Jason Steele to a long pass over the top to walk the ball into an empty net.

Adebayo calmly slotted in at Steele’s near post to make it 3-0 before the break and completed his hat-trick 11 minutes into the second half.

“It’s a wonderful feeling ... we said we needed to start sharp and two goals in two minutes was the right way to start,” Adebayo told Sky Sports. “We just kept our foot on the gas. When you come here it’s tough, especially under the lights and the fans make it a fortress for us.”

Luton climbed to 17th on 19 points after 21 games and their victory coupled with Everton’s draw at Craven Cottage took the Merseysiders back into the drop zone with 18 points from 22.

DAZZLING DISPLAY

Palace’s Eberechi Eze and the returning Michael Olise put on a dazzling attacking display in a come-from-behind victory over bottom side Sheffield United that took the Eagles up to 14th on 24 points, relieving some pressure on manager Roy Hodgson.

Eze netted both equalisers while Olise scored the winner after a frantic first half hour saw Sheffield United take the lead twice with goals from Ben Brereton Diaz and James McAtee.

“I say it all the time. I enjoy playing with him because he’s a top player,” Eze said of Olise.

Everton were lucky to escape with a point at Fulham after being under constant pressure in an action-packed second half.

“I thought the game was a bit flat,” Toffees goalkeeper Jordan Pickford said. “Both teams had to create our own energy and tempo and we could have been on the front foot a bit more, but it’s a great point. We’ve had to change a lot, everyone is ready to put on the shirt, put on the badge for the club and do our best, just give 100% and we will get points.”

Published in Dawn, February 1st, 2024