Liverpool were held to a damaging 2-2 draw by Manchester United as they handed the initiative to Arsenal in the Premier League title race, while Tottenham moved into fourth place with a 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest on Monday (AEDT).
Jurgen Klopp’s side would have gone top with a victory against their bitter rivals at Old Trafford.
But despite taking the lead through Luis Diaz’s 23rd minute strike, Liverpool couldn’t deliver the knockout blow.
They wasted several chances to increase their advantage before Bruno Fernandes alertly pounced on Jarell Quansah’s wayward pass to score from just inside the Liverpool half in the 50th minute.
To Klopp’s visible fury, Kobbie Mainoo found space to net United’s second with an eye-catching curler in the 67th minute.
Liverpool avoided a repeat of their FA Cup quarter-final defeat at United earlier this season as Mohamed Salah equalised with an 84th minute penalty after Aaron Wan-Bissaka chopped down Harvey Elliott.
But it was still a frustrating final visit to Old Trafford for Klopp before his departure at the end of the season, with Liverpool stuck behind Arsenal, who hold a nine-goal advantage on goal difference.
Klopp’s team, who are one point ahead of third placed Manchester City, have seven games left to overhaul Arsenal as they chase a record-equalling 20th English title.
“We should have won the game, that is clear. We should have had other goals in the first half. We dropped too deep,” Klopp said.
Liverpool salvaged a point away to Manchester United as the title race took yet another twist. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)Source: AFP
“The whole Liverpool community just stay calm. We are where we are and we keep giving it a proper go.
“Do I wish we had 10 points difference? Of course. We are in the race and I’m absolutely fine with it.”
United boss Erik ten Hag added: “Very mixed emotions. We have to blame ourselves for making stupid mistakes.
“On the other side I’m very proud. You see how we are improving and the potential of this squad is amazing.”
At the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the game went ahead despite a fatal stabbing just yards from the ground earlier on Sunday.
Ange Postecoglou’s side took the lead thanks to an own goal from Forest defender Murillo in the 15th minute.
Timo Werner’s low cross into the six-yard box caused panic and Murillo’s stretching attempt to clear diverted the ball into his own net.
Chris Wood equalised in the 27th minute with a clinical strike from Anthony Elanga’s pass for his 12th league goal this season.
But Micky van de Ven bagged Tottenham’s second in the 52nd minute with a blistering strike from just inside the area.
And six minutes later Pedro Porro produced a powerful half-volley from 14 yards to put the result beyond doubt.
Tottenham moved into fourth with a win over Nottingham Forest. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Tottenham are now above fifth placed Aston Villa on goal difference and also hold a game in hand in the race to qualify for the Champions League via a top four finish.
“Everyone has been banging on about us getting fourth. We’re fourth now but it doesn’t stop, we’ll keep going. We’re in a good shape to finish the season strong,” Postecoglou said.
Fourth bottom Forest are outside the relegation zone by the slenderest of margins, above Luton only on goal difference.
In Sunday’ other game, Ole McBurnie’s last-gasp equaliser forced Chelsea to settle for a 2-2 draw at bottom of the table Sheffield United.
Fresh from scoring twice in the final seconds of stoppage-time to beat Manchester United on Thursday, Chelsea took the lead after 11 minutes as Thiago Silva finished off Conor Gallagher’s corner at the far post.
The Blades equalised in the 32nd minute as Gustavo Hamer’s pass sent Jayden Bogle through on goal and the right wing-back slotted home.
Noni Madueke put Chelsea back in front in the 66th minute, cutting in from the right to drive his shot into the far corner.
Yet mid-table Chelsea’s troubled season suffered another setback when McBurnie levelled with a close-range finish three minutes into stoppage-time.
“We feel really bad in the way we conceded. We need to be more clinical,” Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino said.
Fans of Sheffield United and Chelsea shared self-deprecating chants as they laughed off their disappointing seasons.
The two sides battled to a 2-2 draw at Bramall Lane in the Premier League on Sunday evening with the pair desperately in need of points to stop their season ending in embarrassment.
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Thiago Silva’s goal sparked a hilarious exchange between fansCredit: Getty
Chelsea are desperate to secure a top six finish in order to qualify for Europe next season and made a strong start against the Blades with Thiago Silva finding the net.
It was the Brazilian’s first appearance since February 12 and took just 11 minutes for him to give the Londoners the lead.
So far this term, Chelsea have only managed five wins on the road, leading their traveling fans direct a chant at the Sheffield United fans, saying: “How s*** must you be? We’re winning away.”
Not one to outdone in the self-deprecating humour, fans of the Blades immediately clapped back, joking: “How s*** must you be? It’s only 1-0.”
That joke was in reference to the fact that Silva’s goal was the 81st goal that Sheffield United have conceded this term, with the Blades firmly on track to suffer relegation.
However, they hit back when Jayden Bogle drew the game level after 32 minutes.
Chelsea retook the lead through Noni Madueke’s powerful strike but the spoils were shared as Oli McBurnie struck in stoppage time.
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It was a passionate game on the pitch but off it relations between the two sets of fans were quite harmoniousCredit: AFP
Right now, Chelsea are closer to away days at Millwall and Plymouth Argyle than the blindingly bright lights of the Champions League.
It’s a scarcely believable reality given the exorbitant expenditure at the club, but it’s a fact: Chelsea are 12 points away from the relegation zone and 15 off the Champions League places.
A 4-2 defeat at Stamford Bridge to Wolves ensured Chelsea dropped into the bottom half of the table and the mood amongst fans was palpable.
There were even chants clamouring for the return of Jose Mourinho, who was recently sacked by Serie A side Roma.
The wife of veteran Chelsea defender Thiago Silva, Belle, also joined the pile on and called for “change” in a social media post, before she later apologised for the “outburst.”
Victory over high-flying Aston Villa in the FA Cup has somewhat lifted the pressure from Pochettino, but it doesn’t take away from what’s been, to date, a nightmare season at the Bridge.
So, how have things got this bad at the Bridge and where do the Blues go from here?
Chelsea have struggled in the Premier League this season. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
BLEAK REALITY BEHIND POCH’S TENURE … AND WHY HE MIGHT BE SAFE IN HIS ROLE
After 31 games in charge, Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has overseen 14 wins, six draws and 11 losses, with the club sitting in 11th place on the Premier League ladder.
It’s a strikingly similar record to that of his predecessor, Graham Potter.
Potter won 12 games, drew eight and lost 11 in the same amount of games and even had Chelsea in the same spot on the ladder, but was sacked just seven months into his tenure.
As it stands, Pochettino will not face a similar fate to Potter just yet, claiming he “received a very good text” from Chelsea co-owners Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly despite the defeat to Wolves.
However, some may say the hot seat at Stamford Bridge should be scorching hot given Pochettino had the benefit of an entire pre-season to get his philosophy across to his new players.
Additionally, the Argentinian has been afforded more time on the training pitch during the week given Chelsea are not competing in Europe this season.
But a glance at some of the statistics comparing Potter and Pochettino suggests that despite their similarities in records after 31 games, there has been progress made under the latter.
Under Pochettino, Chelsea have scored 54 goals compared to the 33 scored during Potter’s tenure at the 31 game mark.
Yet it’s a different picture defensively, with Pochettino’s Chelsea shipping 43 goals to Potter’s 31.
Chelsea co-owners Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly have poured billions into the club since taking over in May 2022. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Ultimately, the only statistic that matters is how many points they have which, as of now, is humiliatingly low for a club of Chelsea’s stature.
And it could get a lot worse before it gets better.
“The mistake we have made with Chelsea so far is presuming that because the new players are young and the manager is Mauricio Pochettino there is a corner that will inevitably be turned,” The Times’ Martin Samuel wrote.
“Not true. It doesn’t have to come right. There isn’t always light at the end of the tunnel. Some tunnels can be pretty long.
“Chelsea will not inexorably rejoin the elite.”
Should Chelsea’s results continue to nosedive, the noise for Pochettino’s sacking will only grow in volume.
But, in a rather unsurprising twist, the club might not be able to relieve the Argentinian of his duties due to the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Some fans have called for Pochettino’s exit already. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea would be forced to pay $19 million to hand Pochettino and his entire staff their marching orders, with that figure to factor into this season’s financial reports.
To paint a picture regarding Chelsea’s precarious position with PSR, renowned football finance analyst Swiss Rambleestimated Chelsea’s losses from 2021 to 2024 to be £201m ($AUD387m), well over the £105m limit.
If Chelsea miss out on European football for a second straight season, it leaves an £80m hole in their finances yet again.
Not only that, but Potter and Thomas Tuchel, who was the manager in place when Boehly took over as Chelsea owner, are still being paid out by the club after both were sacked last season.
It all presents a rather grim financial outlook for the club but, for Pochettino’s job security, it’s somewhat of a silver lining.
Chelsea’s extravagant spending in recent years could save Pochettino from the sack. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
The dominant headline of Boehly’s reign as Chelsea owner is the mind-boggling amount spent on transfers.
Since the summer window in 2022 the Blues have spent $AUD1.8 billion on 31 players, ranging from future prospects to those expected to hit the ground running.
Central midfield duo Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo both joined for figures in excess of $192 million, yet neither have made the impact expected of a player attracting such a fee.
The scattergun transfer approach has been widely panned given how the transfer fees have not translated into any success as of yet.
Cole Palmer, a 21-year-old midfielder who arrived from Manchester City for £40m last summer, has represented the club’s best bit of business to date.
Since joining, Palmer has ten league goals to his name and made his international debut for England, such has been his form this season.
According to Johnson, “Chelsea’s idea from the outset was to build a squad ready to take advantage of the moment Pep Guardiola and (Jurgen) Klopp leave their jobs at Manchester City and Liverpool respectively.”
Klopp’s departure will happen a year earlier than Chelsea anticipated. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)Source: AFP
Chelsea powerbrokers had anticipated Klopp and Guardiola would both leave their roles at the end of the 2024/25 season, but the former has decided to leave a year earlier than anticipated.
Given the struggles Arsenal and Manchester United endured after long-term managers Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson departed, the Blues are supposedly anticipating similar scenarios at City and Liverpool.
“Most of the Premier League has been clinging to the hope City, post-Pep, will not be quite the force they are with him and Liverpool you can put in the same bracket,” Fifield said.
“Not least because you’ve seen what’s happened to other clubs when a talismanic figure at the top has left.
“So I can sort of understand the logic, but I do think that the naivety is born of the fact there are so many other clubs that will be targeting that as a moment when they can click into gear and challenge.”
Whether Pochettino is the right man to lead this project remains to be seen.
For some pockets of Chelsea fans, he is not the answer.
However, the man they perceive to be the answer could set the club back even further.
Chelsea expect Guardiola to leave City at the expiration of his contract next year. (Photo by Ben Stansall / AFP)Source: AFP
DANGERS OF NOSTALGIA LINGER AS FANS CHANT FOR ‘YESTERDAY’S MAN’
As the game against Wolves slipped further and further away, so too did the consciousness of Chelsea fans at Stamford Bridge.
Instead, they forced themselves to think back to happier, more joyous times with trophies aplenty.
And in those thoughts was Jose Mourinho, proved by a chorus of supporters singing his name.
After all, Mourinho represents the time when Chelsea was good. Very good.
He’s still the most successful manager the club has ever had, winning seven major trophies throughout his two spells as Chelsea boss.
It was Mourinho who oversaw the period which transformed Chelsea into European heavyweights.
But it was also Mourinho who left Chelsea in 2007 and then again in December 2015 when the atmosphere had become toxic as a result of the boss continuously slamming his players in public.
Since that exit in 2015, Mourinho’s managerial stops have seemingly followed the same formula.
Initial excitement is met with improved results before things quickly turn dour on and off the field, prompting an irreparable relationship between Mourinho and his players or the powers above (often both), leading to an acrimonious exit.
Mourinho has been sacked from his previous four jobs . (Photo by Isabella BONOTTO / AFP)Source: AFP
That same narrative followed at his latest role with Roma as he was sacked in January, leaving him a free agent – something that has not gone unnoticed by nostalgic Blues supporters.
So, would Mourinho really be the right man to rescue Chelsea from this supposed rut?
“It will be 20 years ago next month since Mourinho announced himself to the world by sprinting down the touchline at Old Trafford to celebrate Costinha’s 90th-minute goal for FC Porto that sealed the round-of-16 elimination of Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United from the Champions League.
“Porto went on to win that season’s competition, and Mourinho earned his move to Chelsea on the back of it. He really was The Special One, the biggest name in football at the time, and his charisma and success seemed a recipe for a decade of dominance at the highest level.
“But the game moved on, Pep Guardiola presented a different image of the perfect coach and Mourinho was left behind.
“At 61, he can still be box office with what he says, but it’s been a while since you could say the same about his teams.”
Chelsea fans sang Jose Mourinho’s name during the defeat to Wolves. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
As it stands, all signs point towards Pochettino lasting the season.
Once that’s done, all parties will sit down and discuss the campaign with a decision to be made then.
Boehly and Eghbali will be conscious to avoid a repeat of last season’s embarrassing fade out when they sacked Potter and replaced him with Frank Lampard, who won just one of his 11 games in charge.
There’s no question of who some fans want as Pochettino’s replacement, should the Argentine be sensationally sacked.
And if Mourinho is indeed appointed as Chelsea boss for a third time, there’s no prizes for guessing how it will play out.
Chelsea were booed off by a disgruntled home support at the weekend as Wolves’ rout followed a 4-1 thrashing at Liverpool a week ago.
With Pochettino’s men languishing in 11th in the Premier League, an early FA Cup exit would have further ramped up the pressure on the Argentine.
Pochettino insisted on Tuesday he would not lose his hair over the stress of the job and made some bold calls with his team selection.
Thiago Silva was dropped to the bench just hours after his wife apologised for a social media outburst in which she called for “change” at the club.
Raheem Sterling was also left out on a night when a number of Chelsea’s expensive young guns stood up to be counted.
But it was one of the club’s academy graduates who got the ball rolling. Gallagher smashed home from close range after the ball broke his way from Jackson’s purposeful burst down the left.
Jackson was making his first start since returning from Senegal’s disappointment at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Chelsea cruised to victory over a poor Aston Villa side. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)Source: AFP
The 22-year-old has been guilty of missing some glaring chances early in his Chelsea career, but was deadly with a downward header from Malo Gusto’s cross to double his side’s lead.
Villa were unbeaten in 17 home Premier League games dating back nearly a year until Newcastle won at Villa Park a week ago.
But Unai Emery’s men have exited both domestic cup competitions limply at home this season.
Emery named his strongest available side despite sitting fourth in the Premier League and being favourites to win the Europa Conference League.
However, the tie was over before the hour mark as Fernandez’s stunning free-kick made it 3-0.
Rumours in recent days have suggested the Argentine World Cup winner could be looking for an exit, just over a year since his $132 million move from Benfica.
But Fernandez gestured to suggest he is staying put after curling past international teammate Emi Martinez into the top corner.
Pochettino has the chance to mark a difficult first season in charge with his first trophy in English football when Chelsea face Liverpool in the League Cup final on February 25.
And they will be confident of reaching the quarter-finals of the FA Cup when they host second-tier Leeds in the fifth round.
Villa got a consolation goal in stoppage time when Moussa Diaby fired in off the post, but it was too little, too late for the home side.
Thiago Silva’s wife has apologised for her “outburst” after appearing to call for Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino to be sacked following another defeat for the struggling Premier League club.
Chelsea dropped to 11th in the table after Sunday’s chastening 4-2 home defeat by Wolves, which followed a heavy 4-1 loss at Liverpool.
After the loss to Wolves, Chelsea’s stars were booed off by furious fans as some even chanted for the return of former boss Jose Mourinho, who was recently sacked by Serie A outfit Roma.
The club have spent more than £1 billion ($1.25 billion) on transfers since Todd Boehly’s takeover in May 2022 but have little to show for their vast outlay.
On Sunday Belle Silva posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: “It’s time to change. If you wait any longer it will be too late.”
Pochettino said he had spoken to veteran Blues defender Thiago Silva since his wife’s comment.
Thiago Silva’s wife called for “change” after Chelsea lost to Wolves. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“I’m sorry that my personal outburst as a passionate Chelsea fan has caused such an impact,” Belle wrote in a new post on X on Wednesday.
“I’m passionate about the team, I thrive on victories and I’m saddened by defeats.
“We all want the same thing, a winning team, come on Chelsea.”
Pochettino said on Tuesday that Thiago Silva had met with him privately.
“He came today to talk with me. I’m not going to talk about (what we said),” the former Tottenham boss said.
“He came and wanted to talk with me … that was private. That’s it.”
After Chelsea’s FA Cup replay against Aston Villa, they will make the trip to take on Manchester City and also face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on February 25.
Arsenal rekindled their bid for a first Premier League title in 20 years by beating leaders Liverpool 3-1 at the Emirates as Chelsea succumbed to another embarrassing defeat, 4-2 at home to Wolves.
Liverpool’s hopes of sending off manager Jurgen Klopp as a champion of England were dented as Arsenal closed to within two points at the top of the table.
Mikel Arteta admitted before the game that his side could not afford a repeat of their 2-0 FA Cup defeat to Liverpool last month if they were to keep their title hopes alive.
As in the cup tie, Arsenal dominated the opening stages but this time got their reward with the opening goal. Bukayo Saka stroked home after Alisson Becker denied Kai Havertz.
It was a crucial win for Arsenal. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Liverpool did not have a shot on target in the first half, but levelled after a defensive mix up, Gabriel Magalhaes turned Luis Diaz’s cross into his own net.
The visitors repaid the favour after the break as Alisson collided with Virgil van Dijk as he rushed out from his goal and presented Gabriel Martinelli with the simple of tasks to roll into an empty net.
Liverpool missed the presence of Mohamed Salah in their push for an equaliser and were left with a mountain to climb when Ibrahima Konate was sent off for a second yellow card after fouling Havertz.
Leandro Trossard then took advantage of the space on the right side of the Liverpool defence as he surged forward and blasted beyond Alisson.
Defending champions Manchester City remain just five points off the top but now have two games in hand, starting with a visit to Brentford on Tuesday, to overhaul Liverpool.
WIFE’S POST HEAPS PRESSURE ON SORRY CHELSEA
Mauricio Pochettino apologised to the Chelsea fans after Matheus Cunha’s hat-trick handed Wolves their first victory at Stamford Bridge since 1979.
The Blues were booed off by furious fans after dropping into the bottom half of the table.
Chelsea were thrashed by Liverpool 4-1 on Thursday and their week to forget finished with an even more embarrassing loss as Wolves completed the double over the woeful west Londoners.
Cole Palmer put Chelsea ahead with a composed angled finish from Moises Caicedo’s defence-splitting pass in the 19th minute.
But Chelsea’s lead lasted just three minutes, with Cunha’s shot taking a hefty deflection off Thiago Silva to leave Blues keeper Djordje Petrovic wrong-footed as it whistled into the net.
Pochettino wore an exasperated look in the 43rd minute when Rayan Ait Nouri’s shot deflected in for an own goal off Chelsea defender Axel Disasi.
The already fraught atmosphere turned even more toxic in the 63rd minute as Pedro Neto teed up Cunha to drive in Wolves’ third goal.
Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino is under pressure. (Photo by Ben Stansall / AFP)Source: AFP
Cunha’s 82nd minute penalty, awarded when he was fouled by Malo Gusto, capped a miserable afternoon for Pochettino, who took no consolation from Silva’s close-range finish in the 86th minute.
With trips to Aston Villa in the FA Cup and Manchester City among their next three games, Chelsea could be in complete disarray by the time they face Liverpool in the League Cup final at Wembley on February 25.
“We are not matching the history of the club,” said Pochettino.
“It is a different project and it is a matter of time but it is difficult for me to always say (we need more) time.”
In fact, pressure only continues to build with Silva’s wife Belle posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, “It’s time to change. If you wait any longer it will be too late”.
‘PERSONAL DISASTER’ MARS BIG MANCHESTER UNITED WIN
Manchester United climbed into sixth with a 3-0 win over West Ham as Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho gave the Red Devils a glimpse of a bright future.
Hojlund failed to score in his first 14 Premier League games but now has four in four as he marked his 21st birthday with a thumping strike to open the scoring.
Garnacho’s deflected effort made it 2-0 early in the second half before the Argentine rounded off the scoring six minutes from time.
“The goals today showed young players with high potential,” said United boss Erik ten Hag.
“They get used to the Premier League standards. Every game they are growing and improving and adapting to a higher level.”
However, victory came at a cost for United as Lisandro Martinez suffered a serious looking knee injury.
Lisandro Martinez goes down with an injury. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“It doesn’t look good so there’s a big concern,” said Ten Hag.
“We have to wait coming days for the diagnosis, then we will know more. We do everything to get the right diagnosis to see that the damage is.
“He is very sad, very disappointed. We are with him. It’s a personal disaster. Let’s wait but it is really bad because he brings us a lot.
“He is just returning. It is very bad, very bad for him and the team. He is very important for us. He brings spirit to the team, aside from his football ability.”
Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest moved two points above the relegation zone after a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth.
Newcastle ended their 13-year wait to beat bitter rivals Sunderland as Alexander Isak’s double inspired a 3-0 win in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.
Chelsea joined Newcastle in the last 32 with a 4-0 rout of second tier Preston while Aston Villa snatched a late 1-0 win at Middlesbrough.
Non-league Maidstone United, the lowest ranked team left in the competition, clinched a surprise 1-0 win against Stevenage to reach the fourth round for the first time.
There is a 69-place gap between George Elkobi’s Kent-based club and third-tier Stevenage.
But in their first third round appearance since 1988, the National League South minnows made history as Sam Corne netted a penalty in first half stoppage-time before fans flooded the pitch in celebration at the final whistle.
George Elokobi, Manager of Maidstone United, interacts with Liam Sole at full time.Source: Getty ImagesFans flooded the field after the game.Source: Getty Images
In the first Tyne and Wear derby since 2016, Newcastle put Sunderland to the sword thanks to Dan Ballard’s first-half own goal and Isak’s brace after the break at the Stadium of Light.
Newcastle had lost six of their previous seven clashes with Sunderland, but their composed display neutered the fired-up Black Cats and delivered a first derby success since a 1-0 victory in 2011.
After four successive defeats in all competitions, Newcastle coach Eddie Howe hoped the derby would be a “season-changing” moment to salve the wounds from their Champions League exit and poor Premier League form.
Whether vanquishing second-tier opponents will prove transformative remains to be seen, but for now local pride was all that mattered to the 6,000 Newcastle fans who waved their black and white scarves in delight at the final whistle.
“We handled the occasion well, were brave with the ball and were very composed. We didn’t let the crowd take over,” Howe said.
“Today will have done us the world of good. It keeps us in an important competition and that brings hope.”
It was a crucial win for Newcastle.Source: Getty Images
While the northeast rivalry might lack the glamour of the Manchester and north London derbies, there is no questioning the rivalry between clubs separated by just 14 miles.
Encapsulating the enmity was a bizarre incident this week when Sunderland were forced to apologise to furious fans after a stadium bar was redecorated with Newcastle colours in the corporate hospitality section of the visitors’ support.
Newcastle’s fans were taken to the stadium on buses in a huge police convoy, then given their tickets to the match, in a bid to avoid the violent scenes that have marred previous encounters.
Amid the sound and fury in the stands, Newcastle kept their nerve and snatched the lead in the 35th minute as Ballard diverted Joelinton’s cross into his own net.
Sunderland gifted Newcastle their second goal less than 60 seconds after the interval when Almiron robbed the dawdling Pierre Ekwah inside his own area and teed up Isak to fire home from 10 yards.
Ballard’s 90th minute foul on Anthony Gordon conceded a penalty that Isak converted to cap the exclamation point on Newcastle’s victory.
Newcastle fans were in full voice.Source: Getty Images
At Stamford Bridge, inconsistent Chelsea dismissed Preston with three goals in 11 second half minutes.
Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino has urged his players to use the FA Cup as a route into Europe given their dismal form in the Premier League.
Heeding that message, Armando Broja headed home to break Preston’s resistance in the 58th minute.
Thiago Silva nodded in the second from a corner and Raheem Sterling grabbed the third with a fine free-kick.
Enzo Fernandez tapped in to complete the rout in the 85th minute.
“We started so sloppy. I told the players at half-time we needed to increase the energy and match that of Preston. The second half was a completely different game,” Pochettino said.
Aston Villa, just two points behind table-topping Liverpool, needed an 88th minute strike from Matty Cash to see off Championship side Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.
Bournemouth came from two goals down at half-time to win 3-2 at second tier QPR. Inspired by Joao Pedro’s double, Brighton won 4-2 at Championship outfit Stoke despite falling behind early on.
Sheffield United, bottom of the Premier League, cruised to a 4-0 victory at fourth tier Gillingham.
The Premier League continues to live up to its reputation as the best league on the planet in what was yet another hectic Saturday of football.
In the first weekend back after the two-week long international break, the seven matches of the day failed to disappoint.
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Arsenal beat Brentford to go top of the Premier League tableCredit: Getty
There were 23 goals in total, with there being late winners in three of the matches.
It couldn’t have been a better Saturday for Arsenal, who beat Brentford 1-0 thanks to an 89th minute header from Kai Havertz.
The result saw the Gunners leapfrog Manchester City to become the new league leaders after the Citizens were held to a 1-1 home draw against Liverpool.
As for Chelsea, it was yet another match to forget as they were blown away by a rampant Newcastle team who ran out 4-1 winners at St James’ Park.
West Ham meanwhile came from behind to nick an injury time winner away at Sheffield United, while Brighton edged out Nottingham Forest in a five-goal thriller.
As for Luton and Bournemouth, they picked up crucial wins in their boost to stay up.
Unsurprisingly, there are plenty of takeaways from what was an epic day, here’s what talkSPORT.com learned from Saturday’s action.
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Alexander-Arnold was the hero for Liverpool as he rescued a point at the EtihadCredit: Getty
Anthony Gordon has to be in England’s Euro 2024 squad
What a season the Newcastle winger is having, with the 22-year-old now boasting five goals and three assists to his name in all competitions.
There were doubts from fans and pundits when he made the move to Tyneside from Everton for an initial fee of £40million at the start of 2023.
But he is finally showing now why he was so highly regarded at Goodison Park, with the forward now a big-game player having scored against Liverpool, Arsenal and now Chelsea this term.
A constant menace for the Magpies against the Blues, he ran Reece James ragged, before the right-back was eventually sent off for a late tackle on the youngster.
With the next international break not due now until March, Gordon knows he has to deliver at every opportunity to try and force his way into Gareth Southgate‘s plans.
But he really should be in the squad already, and can count himself unlucky that he was left out for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.
Gordon can offer Southgate what others English left wingers cannot – being able to beat his man.
A player that is quickly becoming one of Newcastle’s star players, no one can argue that Gordon deserves a chance in the Three Lions senior team.
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Gordon chipped in with a goal and an assist in the 4-1 win over ChelseaCredit: Getty
Darwin Nunez isn’t Liverpool’s answer up top
There can be no doubting the Uruguayan’s obvious talent, and his work rate is nothing short of exceptional.
But the Reds, who signed the striker from Benfica last year for a fee potentially rising to £85m, brought the 24-year-old to Anfield to score goals.
After nine Premier League goals last season, he has just four top-flight strikes this time.
And as is so often the case with Nunez, he failed to have his shooting boots on in what was a disappointing display at the Etihad.
Nunez missed an abundance of chances – hitting the target just once from his four efforts on goal.
If Liverpool truly wish to win a league title in the near future, they may seriously have to consider bringing in another centre-forward.
Nunez struggled away at City as he missed a number of key chances
Thiago Silva’s age catches up with him
A legend of the game, Silva will go down as one of the finest centre-backs of his generation.
Now in his fourth season at Chelsea, the Brazilian has been ever-present under Mauricio Pochettino’s tutelage so far, playing every minute of all 13 league matches.
Such is his importance for the Blues, he has become the club’s oldest outfield player at the age of 39 years and 64 days.
But he struggled against Newcastle, with the defender guilty of a horror error which compatriot Joelinton capitalised on to make it 3-1 for the hosts.
He apologised to the Chelsea fans on social media, and while the supporters will forever love Silva, the time is coming where Pochettino may have to drop him.
It’s now back-to-back games that Chelsea have shipped in four goals, and with Wesley Fofana close to returning following his injury, Silva could be the player that makes way.
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Silva was guilty of a calamitous mistake in Chelsea’s heavy defeat in TynesideCredit: Getty
Tomas Soucek shining in Declan Rice’s absence
The Czech Republic international has flourished since being deployed in a box-to-box midfield role.
David Moyes often started Soucek in a defensive role to accommodate Rice, but he has been enjoying playing further forward since the England star joined Arsenal in July.
He has six goals to his name already this season in all competitions, with four coming in the Premier League – double his tally from last term.
And just like against Nottingham Forest before the international break, Soucek again popped up with a last-gasp goal to secure the three points for the Hammers.
This time it was away to Burnley, as he expertly volleyed home to lift the east Londoners up to ninth in the table.
With Jarrod Bowed and Michail Antonio out injured, Soucek is taking it upon himself to be West Ham’s gamechanger.
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Soucek’s stunner earned West Ham all three points at Turf MoorCredit: Getty
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s late equaliser rescued Liverpool in their 1-1 draw at title rivals Manchester City, as Arsenal snatched top spot in the Premier League with a dramatic 1-0 win at Brentford.
Alexander-Arnold struck 10 minutes from the end of a tense summit meeting at the Etihad Stadium after Haaland’s landmark strike looked like extending City’s record home winning run.
City had won their previous 23 games on home turf in all competitions, but Liverpool’s escape act gave Arsenal the chance to leapfrog both of them into pole position.
Haaland converted Nathan Ake’s pass with a fine finish from just inside the area in the 27th minute, reaching his half-century of Premier League goals in record time in his 48th appearance.
Pep Guardiola’s men went flat after that and Alexander-Arnold made them pay, drilling his shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area before celebrating by putting a finger to his lips the City fans.
“It’s a tough place to come. If we’d played really well today, we could have won, but we didn’t. We played OK,” Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said.
“For the moment we’re in, we should take the point as a success. I have nothing to complain about.”
Haaland reaches 50 goals in fiery draw | 03:57
Guardiola was involved in a heated exchange of words with Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez at the final whistle, with Klopp having to lead his player away from the confrontation.
“That was an excellent performance. I’m really proud that after eight years we are still playing that way. We were really good in all departments and needed to be against an incredible team,” Guardiola said.
Arsenal made the most of that result, taking first place thanks to Kai Havertz’s late goal in west London.
Havertz was a Champions League final hero for Chelsea in 2021, but he has endured a torrid time since crossing London to join Arsenal in the close-season.
The 24-year-old midfielder finally gave a glimpse of why Mikel Arteta splashed out £65 million ($A124m) to sign him when he met Bukayo Saka’s cross with a close-range header in the 89th minute.
Kai Havertz celebrates after scoring the team’s first goal. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Havertz’s second goal for Arsenal was his first in his last 10 appearances, moving his team one point clear of second placed Manchester City.
“It feels amazing. I’ve been working hard for these moments, and today I got it paid back, and I’m really happy to help the team with that,” Havertz said on TNT Sport.
“It was a brilliant pass, we do it a lot in training. I know me, Martin and Bukayo love to play these balls and it was a good goal.
“Football is always hard work, and nothing comes from itself. You have to work and keep believing.
“It was tough for me, the last couple of months, but I tried to put my ego aside because the team is the most important thing.
“I’ve been so thankful for the Arsenal fans. It’s always hard when a new signing comes and they pay a lot of money for you. Sometimes they can think it can be easy and fast, and I’m thankful they have kept supporting me.”
‘SOFT’ CHELSEA WHACKED BY INJURY-HIT NEWCASTLE
At St James’ Park, injury-hit Newcastle crushed Chelsea 4-1 as Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino labelled his side “soft”.
Sixth placed Newcastle were stretched so thin that Eddie Howe had to name three goalkeepers among his substitutes.
But they ignored their fitness issues to bounce back from successive defeats against Bournemouth and Borussia Dortmund.
It was a big win for Newcastle. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Newcastle striker Alexander Isak fired home from Lewis Miley’s pass to open the scoring in the 13th minute.
Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling equalised with a superb free-kick 10 minutes later, but Jamaal Lascelles restored Newcastle’s advantage with a header on the hour.
And less than 60 seconds later, Joelinton punished Thiago Silva after the Chelsea defender mis-controlled Cole Palmer’s pass.
Chelsea right-back Reece James was sent off for a second booking in the 73rd minute and Newcastle rounded off their demolition 10 minutes later when Anthony Gordon slotted home.
It was the heaviest defeat of Pochettino’s first season in charge and the second successive game that Chelsea conceded four goals.
“We were so soft in every single challenge. We didn’t show that we were playing for something important. That’s what makes me angry and disappointed,” Pochettino said.
Fourth bottom Luton secured their first home league win this season as Crystal Palace were beaten 2-1 at Kenilworth Road.
West Ham staged a late fightback to steal a 2-1 win that added to rock bottom Burnley’s relegation fears.
Brighton won for the first time in seven league games as Joao Pedro inspired a 3-2 victory at Nottingham Forest Marcus Tavernier scored twice as Bournemouth won 3-1 at third bottom Sheffield United.
James was given the captaincy over Silva by Chelsea this summerCredit: Getty
It came as a surprise to some that Silva did not take on the role as the most experienced player and still a formidable force in defence.
And with James already experiencing an injury-ravaged campaign, Silva has played every minute in the Premier League this season – at the age of 39.
Speaking to Chelsea’s official website, the England international joked the centre-back was old enough to be his dad, as he said: “The captaincy has been great.
“But it was difficult when I wasn’t fit because it is hard to affect things as much when I’m not with the group all the time.
“Thiago [Silva] probably helps me the most whenever I’m unsure, or I feel like I need advice on something.
“He is nearly old enough to be my dad! So he is the person I go to.
“It’s not for me to say what sort of captain I am, but I’ve enjoyed it so far. It’s an honour.”
Silva signed for Chelsea in 2020 on a free transfer after his Paris Saint-Germain contract expired.
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James has admitted he still comes to Silva for adviceCredit: Getty
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James and Silva have won the Champions League together at ChelseaCredit: Getty
The French giants did not want to renew his deal due to his age, but the Brazil international has made a mockery of that decision by becoming a key part of Chelsea’s squad over three seasons, now in his his fourth year.
