Arsenal extend Premier League lead while Carrick’s interim reign hits first defeat

Arsenal F.C. increased their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points on Wednesday after a tense 1–0 win against Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.. At the same time, Manchester City F.C. dropped points after drawing 2–2 with Nottingham Forest F.C.

.Arsenal have been strong favourites to win their first league title since 2004, but the team managed by Pep Guardiola has been closely chasing them in the title race.

Arsenal took the lead early in the match when Bukayo Saka scored in the ninth minute during his 300th appearance for the club at Amex Stadium. The England winger cut inside from the right and shot from outside the penalty area. His shot deflected off Carlos Baleba and slipped through the legs of goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.

Brighton had more possession and created more chances, but Arsenal defended well and held on to win the match 1–0."This was a really difficult one after everything we've been through in the last few weeks," Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta told TNT Sports."Every game in the Premier League offers you different things. Big credit to the boys because the effort they put in is astronomical."Second-placed Manchester City F.C., who still have one extra game to play, looked set to stay close to the top of the Premier League table.

But they were held to a 2–2 draw by Nottingham Forest F.C..City took the lead in the first half when Antoine Semenyo scored with a volley. But Forest equalised in the 56th minute when Morgan Gibbs-White scored with a clever backheel.City went ahead again six minutes later as Rodri headed in a corner from Rayan Ait-Nouri.However, Forest fought back once more. Midfielder Elliot Anderson scored a well-placed goal to make it 2–2 and earn an important point for Forest and their coach Vitor Pereira."(There are) still many games to play, them (Arsenal) one less," said Guardiola. "Now it's Newcastle (in the FA Cup) and I always think about what's next."If we analyse then in general it was a good performance and there were many good things. Of course we have things we can improve but in general pretty good."Carrick’s first defeat Michael Carrick suffered his first defeat across his two spells as interim manager of Manchester United F.C. after his team lost to Newcastle United F.C.

at St James' Park.Newcastle were reduced to 10 players when midfielder Jacob Ramsey received a second yellow card for diving just before half-time.Even with a player less, Newcastle took the lead when Anthony Gordon scored from a penalty. Casemiro later equalised for Manchester United with a header in stoppage time.In the second half, Newcastle goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale made several good saves to keep the score level.

Then substitute William Osula scored a brilliant goal in the 90th minute, running down the right side before curling the ball into the far corner to win the match.Carrick said he was "bitterly disappointed" by the 2-1 defeat for his third-placed team."I don't think it was the 10 men, we just didn't play good enough," he said. "We can't make excuses for that. We all take responsibility for that."It was just the quality of the performance, it wasn't character."In the fight for Champions League spots, Chelsea F.C. came from behind to beat Aston Villa F.C. 4-1, thanks to a hat-trick from Joao Pedro. The win moved Chelsea up to fifth in the Premier League, three points behind Villa, and pushed Liverpool F.C. down to sixth place.West Ham United F.C. beat Fulham F.C. 1-0 with a goal from Crysencio Summerville, putting them level with Nottingham Forest F.C. on 28 points.Both Forest and West Ham are now just one point behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur F.C., who play Crystal Palace F.C. on Thursday