Trossard opens account for Arsenal but Premier leaders are held by Brentford
Despite Arsenal dominating the possession (69%) and shot counts (23-9), it was the Bees who created the better quality chances.
Arsenal have looked defensively vulnerable in two straight games now which has to be seen as a concern.Brentford extended their unbeaten run to 10 matches and remain in the hunt for a top six berth.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta claimed Brentford’s equaliser should have been ruled out for offside.
The Gunners had taken the lead in the second half when Leandro Trossard scored his first goal for the club. But Ivan Toney levelled when he nodded in Christian Norgaard’s cross from close range.
Arteta said: “I just looked back and it is offside, yes.”
Toney’s celebrations were delayed for a lengthy check by the video assistant referee (VAR).
Norgaard appeared to be offside in the build-up to the 74th-minute goal, while there was a suggestion Ethan Pinnock blocked Gabriel Magalhaes while in an offside position prior to that.
Newcastle dropped yet more points in their bid to finish in the top four this season but a 1-1 draw was a fair result against Bournemouth.
Both sides created two ‘big chances’ in what was a very even contest, but this was the Magpies fifth draw in their last six league games.
The Cherries were much better than recent showings, but again lost the xG battle, the sixth time in seven league games that has occurred.
West Ham and Chelsea played out a hard-fought draw in Saturday’s early game, with the 1-1 scoreline a fair reflection of the chances in the match.
The draw means the Hammers – who are in a relegation battle – are now unbeaten in three league games, with their defence looking very solid after an early-season wobble.
It was another draw for Chelsea, their third in a row, and another game in which they looked rather toothless in attack.
Since the restart, Graham Potter’s side have scored just six times in eight games.
Leicester came from a goal down to thrash Tottenham 4-1, though a clinical finishing display explains the emphatic scoreline.
After beating Manchester City last weekend, Tottenham have been brought back down to earth and their attacking process needs highlighting again.
Since the restart, Spurs have averaged just 1.13 xGF per game. That is a figure more usually associated with a team in the bottom six.
Crystal Palace and Brighton played out a fourth straight 1-1 draw in meetings Selhurst Park, though the Seagulls were exceptionally unfortunate not to win.
Roberto Di Zerbi’s men dominated the game, creating an abundance of chances, but failed to capitalise.Palace, despite picking up a point, continue to look more like a relegation candidate than a mid-table side.
Fulham cruised to a2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest, keeping their visitors at arm’s length throughout the clash.
Forest were second best on the day as they suffered just their second defeat in seven.
Pressure is mounting on Nathan Jones as his Southampton side were beaten 2-1 by Wolves, despite their visitors being reduced to 10-men after Saints took the lead.
Julen Lopetegui’s side scored two late goals to take all three points and put more daylight between themselves and the relegation zone, while defeat leaves Southampton rooted to the foot of the table.Jones has now lost all four of his home league games as manager.
Source: dailylifeworld.com
