Arsenal went a fourth match without a win in the Premier League, Sunday November 10 in a derby against Chelsea (1-1), and saw their title hopes disappear even further after eleven days.
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Earlier, Manchester United easily beat Leicester (3-0), on the eve of welcoming their new coach Ruben Amorim, and Ipswich obtained their first victory of the season (2-1), at the expense of a team of Tottenham far too irregular.
For the spectacle and the suspense, you had to watch Stamford Bridge where Chelsea and Arsenal fought a great battle, without a winner but not without emotions.
First there was the goal of Kai Havertz, formerly of Chelsea, who celebrated with his finger on his mouth before seeing the VAR play spoilsport for an offside (33rd) which made the local supporters happy.
The “Bridge” became silent again when Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring (60th, 0-1) after a delicious pass from Martin Odegaard, starting for the first time since the end of August. Then he exulted in Pedro Neto’s equalizer (70th, 1-1), ten minutes later.
Chelsea and Arsenal, third and fourth respectively, each have 19 points, four less than Manchester City (2nd, 23 pts) and nine less than Liverpool (1st, 28 pts).
It will be difficult to pick up Arne Slot’s “Reds”, in resplendent form after obtaining a ninth success in eleven championship matches on Saturday against Aston Villa (2-0).
It will be necessary “win, win, win, win, win and win, because these guys keep winning”insisted Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. “When things get dark and difficult, that’s when you have to show your courage.”
Tottenham stew
Sleeping giant, Manchester United found a little color just before opening its doors, Monday, November 11, to Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim, the successor to Erik ten Hag.
Captain Bruno Fernandes showed the way (17th, 1-0), caused an own goal (38th, 2-0) and scored an assist for Alejandro Garnacho (82nd, 3-0).
The interim provided by Ruud van Nistelrooy was more than conclusive: with the former Mancunian striker on the bench, “Man Utd” piled up three victories and a draw in four matches, with eleven goals to boot.
They had scored just four in Erik ten Hag’s last four matches, who had won just one.
The Mancuniens certainly remain thirteenth, with 15 points, but the podium is only four lengths away.
Tottenham fell back into their old ways by losing 2-1 against Ipswich, weighed down by their defensive passivity and chronic irregularity.
Capable of the worst as well as the best, the “Spurs” have alternated victory and defeat from one match to another during the last six matches they have played in the league. And they challenge Manchester City on November 23 at the restart…
Newcastle redress
Ipswich Town, for their part, finally won their first match, carried by an acrobatic return from Sammie Szmodics (31st, 0-1) and the sixth Premier League goal from Liam Delap (43rd, 0-2). Rodrigo Bentancur (70th, 1-2) reduced the gap, in vain.
Early season surprise team Nottingham Forest were knocked down 3-1 at home by a recovering Newcastle side.
The “Reds” led after a header from defender Murillo (21st, 1-0), but they conceded three goals in the second half in front of Alexander Isak (54th, 1-1), Joelinton (72nd, 0-2) and Harvey Barnes (83rd, 1-3), entered three minutes earlier in place of the injured Anthony Gordon.
This is only the second defeat this season in the league for Nuno Espirito Santo’s team, which drops to fifth position.
Newcastle sit three places behind after securing a second victory in a row, a week after beating Arsenal.
AFP/VNA/CVN
