The reigning English vice-champions can still hope to return to the thronetwenty-one years after the last time (2004), thanks to a “North London Derby” won through gritted teeth.
Their arch-domination found itself thwarted by Heung-Min Son (25th, 0-1), finger in front of his mouth to celebrate his goal. But they turned things around by causing an own goal from Dominic Solanke (40th, 1-1) then scoring by Leandro Trossard (44th, 2-1).
The Belgian winger avoided the hiccup and took the liberty of going to the visitors’ park in turn, his hands behind his ears. Overwhelmed by numerous injuries, Tottenham (13th, 24 pts) continues to sink with this fourth defeat (and a draw) conceded during its last five Premier League matches.
Arsenal ignored their major injuries (Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri, Gabriel Jesus…) to delight their audience and increase the pressure on Liverpool. The ‘Reds’, however, are still four points ahead and have a late match in reserve, on February 12 at Everton.
Sparkling Newcastle
Arsenal will pass a new test on Saturday against Aston Villa (7th, 35 pts), who won 1-0 on Wednesday at Everton. Second-half goalscorer Ollie Watkins spoiled David Moyes’ Premier League return, returned to the ‘Toffees’ bench twelve years after his first stint (2002-2013).
Sean Dyche’s successor failed to halt Everton’s downward spiral (16th, 17 pts), very close to the red zone after having won only one of their last twelve matches in the league.
Things are not getting better for Leicester either (19th, 14 pts). The penultimate suffered a sixth defeat in a row on Wednesday against Crystal Palace (2-0) and Jean-Philippe Mateta, author of the first goal.
If there is a team that succeeds in everything, it is Newcastle, easy winner of Wolverhampton (3-0) on Wednesday. The ‘Magpies’ have been unstoppable since December 14 (4-0 against Leicester), starting point of a series of six consecutive victories in the league.
She took them from twelfth to fourth place, now one point ahead of Chelsea (5th, 37 pts) after 21 days. Nottingham Forest (3rd, 41 pts) have three points more than them.
Their insolent success owes a lot to that of their center forward Alexander Isakscorer in the first period (34th, 1-0) then in the second (57th, 2-0), before serving Anthony Gordon (74th, 3-0) on a plate. The Sweden international has scored in each of his last eight league matches, taking his tally to 15 goals in 19 Premier League appearances.
