ARSENAL rode their luck tonight to survive a torrid encounter and win 1-0 at Brighton and extend their lead at the top of the English Premier League to seven points.
Brighton were the superior side for long periods – but Bukayo Saka’s deflected early strike proved enough to give Mikel Arteta’s side a priceless triumph, especially with Manchester City being held to a 2-2 draw at home by struggling Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal’s night almost began in catastrophic fashion in the opening seconds when goalkeeper David Raya sent a clearance straight to Carlos Baleba, but his attempted chip was weak, allowing Gabriel to retreat and head off the line.
And the Gunners’ luck was in after nine minutes when Saka’s routine shot took a deflection off Baleba and went through the legs of Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen, who should have done better.
Brighton’s fans, whipped up by head coach Fabian Hurzeler on the sidelines, were infuriated by what they saw as Arsenal’s time-wasting, erupted in fury just before the hour when Raya saved from Georginio Rutter then stayed on the floor clutching his shoulder before getting treatment.
Arsenal were placed under severe pressure and Brighton should have levelled, only for Mats Wieffer to head straight at Raya from point-blank range.
In the end, Brighton ran out of steam to allow Arsenal to close out another very scrappy, but hugely significant, win on a night when Manchester City slipped up.
Title-chasing Manchester City stumbled at home as they were held to a 2-2 draw by relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest to fall seven points adrift of Premier League leaders Arsenal.
With the top two kicking off at the same time, the Gunners edged past Brighton while Elliot Anderson’s brilliantly-curled finish 13 minutes from time stole a crucial point for Forest at Etihad Stadium.
The visitors, who had Super Eagles defender Ola Aina in their starting line-up and Taiwo Awoniyi as a substitute, had been sitting back and allowed City to dominate possession without really threatening in the opening stages, though Semenyo sent a warning sign by arrowing an effort into the side-netting.
The hosts made their pressure count just after the half hour mark when Rayan Cherki dinked a cross into the box and January signing Semenyo caressed a delightful volley for his seventh goal since joining City.
Forest had chances on the break either side of the goal but Morgan Gibbs-White’s tame effort was gathered low down by Gianluigi Donnarumma and the Italy international also batted away a swerving low drive from Igor Jesus.
But against the run of play, Forest drew level on 56 minutes courtesy of skipper Gibbs-White’s stunning finish, instinctively backheeling a finish past Donnarumma following Igor Jesus’ knock down.
City looked to respond and Erling Haaland’s strike deflected off Murillo and looped on to the roof of the net, with midfielder Rodri heading in from the resulting corner to restore their advantage.
But with time running out, England international Anderson curled in from 25 yards out for a precious point which keeps Vitor Pereira’s side outside the relegation zone on goal difference.
At St James’s Park, substitute William Osula scored a superb late winner as 10-man Newcastle United inflicted Michael Carrick’s first defeat as Manchester United manager.
Carrick grew up watching Newcastle on the Gallowgate End, and warned his players the stadium was “tough place to go” before a ball had been kicked.
So it proved – even after Newcastle midfielder Jacob Ramsey was sent off in the first half – as the spirited hosts rallied at a raucous St James’ Park.
It looked like both sides were going to have to settle for a share of the spoils after Casemiro’s header cancelled out Anthony Gordon’s penalty.
But Osula cut inside the box and lashed the ball past the stunned Senne Lammens, who could only watch it hit the net in the 90th minute to send the stadium into raptures.
What a contrast to the scenes in first-half stoppage time when Newcastle players, staff and supporters were furious when Ramsey was sent off for a second booking.
Referee Peter Bankes felt the midfielder dived in an attempt to win a penalty when he nudged the ball past goalkeeper Lammens.
But Newcastle quickly channelled their anger and Gordon was awarded a spot-kick after the forward was brought down by Bruno Fernandes inside the box.
Gordon coolly placed his penalty straight down the middle of Lammens’ goal to open the scoring and net his 15th goal of the campaign.
But Manchester United have recovered more points (nine) from a losing position than any other side in the Premier League in 2026 for a reason, and Newcastle were not in front for long.
There was still time for another dramatic twist in the ninth minute of first-half stoppage time after Manchester United midfielder Casemiro made a smart run to the near post to head home from Fernandes’ free-kick.
Newcastle were quickly pegged back, but the hosts regrouped at the break and a stretching Gordon had a huge chance to put his side 2-1 up, only to fire wide at the back post in the second half.
Manchester United also had a couple of big opportunities to win it late on when Leny Yoro saw a header batted away by Aaron Ramsdale, while substitute Joshua Zirkzee was also denied by the recalled Newcastle goalkeeper.
But it was Osula who had the final say as Newcastle climbed to 12th, while Manchester United stay in third.
Also tonight, Super Eagles stars Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze and Calvin Bassey were all in Fulham’s starting line-up as they were beating 1-0 at home by West Ham United.
BBC Sport
