Arsenal regained pole position in the Premier League title race on Saturday as the Gunners fought back to win 4-2 at Aston Villa, while Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest.
Just three days after surrendering first place with a 3-1 defeat against City, Arsenal bounced back in impressive style to move two points clear of the champions.
With just minutes to go at Villa Park, Mikel Arteta’s side were in danger of falling behind in their bid to win the title for the first time since 2004.
Arsenal twice followed through with goals from Ollie Watkins and Philippe Coutinho, only for Bukayo Saka and then Oleksandr Zinchenko to level.
In stoppage time in the second half, Arsenal received an assist from the former goalkeeper as Emiliano Martinez accidentally tipped Jorginho’s shot into his own goal after hitting the bar.
Gabriel Martinelli sealed Arsenal’s incredible escape when he tapped into an empty net in the dying seconds after Martinez had been caught up in a Villa corner.
“We came back with more confidence than before because you have to turn performances into results,” Arteta said.
“Win in any context. We have always talked about it. Today we had a very difficult context, especially what happened after five minutes.
“The team showed a lot of emotional qualities that are needed. I’m really happy.”
Arsenal’s first win in five games in all competitions will give them renewed confidence that they can beat City to the title.
The Gunners, who have a game in hand for the title, were given a huge boost by stumbling over their title rivals just hours later.
Bernardo Silva put Pep Guardiola’s men ahead four minutes before half-time, picking up Jack Grealish’s quick pass and finishing clinically past Keylor Navas from 20 yards.
But tensions rose as City went in search of a second goal and Guardiola was booked for taking care of the official for the fourth time after Erling Haaland’s penalty appeal was turned down following a challenge on Joe Worrall.
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City were undone by profligacy as Haaland’s drive hit the bar before the Norwegian star rebounded.
Haaland missed another chance later and Forest made the winners pay with their first shot on target in the 84th minute.
Morgan Gibbs-White fired a low ball into the area and New Zealand striker Chris Wood tapped into an empty net to leave Guardiola stunned.
Everton moved out of the relegation zone with a 1-0 win over fellow strugglers Leeds at Goodison Park.
Seamus Coleman scored in the 64th minute when Everton’s veteran defender hooked in a cross that caught Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier, who left a gap at the near post to slot the ball into the net.
Sean Dyche’s side have won two of their three games since he replaced the sacked Frank Lampard and now sit one point above the bottom three, while managerless Leeds are in 19th.
Chelsea boss Graham Potter suffered another blow as Southampton won 1-0 at Stamford Bridge.
James Ward-Prowse scored his 17th free-kick in the Premier League – one behind David Beckham’s record in the competition – to give Southampton a first-half lead.
Stuart Armstrong was fouled on the edge of the area and Saints fans chanted Ward-Prowse’s name, the midfielder curling a superb set-piece past Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Chelsea were booed at full-time after the result which saw them drop to 10th place, with just two wins in their last 14 games in all competitions and none in their last five.
Bournemouth moved out of the relegation zone with a 1-0 win at Wolves, with Marcus Tavernier bundling in the winner after 49 minutes.
Manor Solomon’s goal in the 88th minute gave sixth-placed Fulham a 1-0 win at Brighton, while Brentford and Crystal Palace drew 1-1.