Arsenal moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 1-0 win at Liverpool on Sunday. Kai Havertz gave the Gunners an early lead. Arsenal then survived a strong Liverpool spell before half-time. Mikel Arteta reorganised his side at the break, and Liverpool were "completely snuffed out" in the second half, SuperSport reported.
The result ended a long wait. Arteta has been in charge for seven years but had never won a Premier League game at Anfield, according to SuperSport. The Guardian noted that Arsenal had not won on their previous 13 visits. The win came days after an embarrassing League Cup exit to fourth-tier Fleetwood on Tuesday.
SuperSport said Arsenal's lead looks even safer because Manchester City are likely to face a big points deduction. That will happen unless City overturn a guilty verdict on more than 100 charges of breaking Premier League rules. City also lost for the second game in a row on Saturday, beaten at home by Brighton.
Manchester United's crisis deepened with a 2-0 defeat at Chelsea on Saturday. United had the better chances in a goalless first half. After the break, manager Michael Carrick, already under pressure, watched his side fall apart. Morgan Rogers ran unchallenged through the United defence to open the scoring. Lisandro Martinez was then sent off for two bookings 83 seconds apart. He also conceded a penalty, which Cole Palmer converted.
United are now nine games without a win, their longest run in 38 years. Defeats for Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace kept them just outside the bottom three on goal difference. All three promoted clubs sit above them. The club expects revenues above £700 million this season. SuperSport said relegation remains a remote prospect but cannot be easily dismissed.
Brighton are emerging as Arsenal's main challengers. Fabian Hurzeler's side thrashed Arsenal 3-0 in September. On Saturday they won at City for the first time in the club's history. They are the league's top scorers and have kept six clean sheets in nine games. Hurzeler said that defence wins battles and championships. He added that his team came to City with the belief and confidence to win.