The Premier League served a full plate of tension, tears and title-race twists this weekend, with Arsenal roaring back to form, Manchester City refusing to blink and Liverpool leaving it late to survive a tricky trip up north. For South African fans who follow the English game as closely as local football, it was the kind of weekend that reminds you why this league pulls in millions of viewers from Soweto to Gqeberha.
Arsenal’s derby demolition keeps the title dream alive
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Arsenal walked into the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium carrying the weight of a stuttering title push after two winless matches. They walked out looking reborn, thanks to a superb performance from Eberechi Eze and a ruthless showing from Viktor Gyokeres.
Eze, who famously turned down a move to Spurs in the close season, delivered yet another North London derby masterclass. His two goals, paired with Gyokeres’ brace, sealed a dominant 4-1 win and ended an 18-match dry spell for the midfielder. It couldn’t have come at a better time for Mikel Arteta’s men, who had seen their once-comfortable lead evaporate in recent weeks.
The win also stretched Arsenal’s unbeaten run in derby fixtures to eight matches, a period that has given Gunners supporters plenty of bragging rights over neighbours who suddenly find themselves in a serious relegation scrap. Spurs have now gone nine league matches without victory and lie only four points above the drop zone. New interim coach Igor Tudor insists they’ll survive, but the mood around the club suggests a battle is coming.
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Man City stay ice-cold in the chase
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Manchester City did what they do best: win when it matters. A 2-1 victory over Newcastle, sealed by a brace from rising star Nico O’Reilly, dragged Pep Guardiola’s side back to within two points of Arsenal.
City weren’t at their sharpest, but that won’t worry them. With a game in hand and history on their side, the champions know the title remains theirs if they take maximum points from their final eleven fixtures. They also still have Arsenal coming to the Etihad in April, a match that will likely define the season.
Chelsea slip again as Burnley refuse to go quietly
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Chelsea’s push for Champions League football took another step backwards when they let a late lead disappear at home for the second weekend in a row. Joao Pedro scored early, but Wesley Fofana’s red card flipped the match on its head, allowing Burnley to equalise in stoppage time through Zian Flemming.
The Blues have now dropped 19 points from winning positions this season. For a club trying to rebuild its identity, these lapses are becoming costly habits.
Villa held again as their title whisper fades
Aston Villa’s dream season has suddenly developed cracks. They were held to a 1-1 draw by Leeds United at Villa Park, with Tammy Abraham scoring late to rescue a point. Villa remain in the top-four conversation, but the result puts serious distance between them and the title challengers.
Leeds, meanwhile, continue to quietly collect points. With only two defeats in their last 14 league matches, they’ve risen to mid-table safety, something few predicted in early December.
Brighton celebrate history as Milner breaks the record
It was an emotional afternoon at Brentford as Brighton’s James Milner made Premier League history. The 40-year-old midfielder surpassed Gareth Barry with his 654th appearance, an astonishing milestone in an era where football careers seem to grow shorter every season. Brighton marked the moment with a 2-0 win, easing their own recent struggles.
West Ham and Bournemouth share frustration
In a match that almost felt like a rerun of every meeting between these sides, West Ham and Bournemouth played out yet another goalless draw. For the Hammers, stuck in the relegation zone, it was a missed chance to apply real pressure on Nottingham Forest.
Liverpool leave it late in a scrap at the City Ground
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Liverpool needed patience, perseverance and a little luck to leave Nottingham with three points. Alexis Mac Allister scored in the seventh minute of stoppage time to snatch a 1-0 win over a Forest side that fought bravely from the first whistle.
Forest had opportunities to take the lead, but their wastefulness cost them dearly. They remain dangerously close to the drop zone, sitting in 17th on 27 points.
The victory keeps Liverpool within striking distance of the top four, level with Manchester United and just three points behind Chelsea.
Source: Various
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