Premier League leaders Arsenal held, Spurs thrashed



Arsenal stumbled again as the Premier League leaders were held to a 1-1 draw by Brentford, while Tottenham’s top-four hopes were dashed by a 4-1 defeat at Leicester on Saturday.

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Mikel Arteta’s side could move eight points clear of second-placed Manchester City with victory at the Emirates Stadium.

But Arsenal could not hold on to the lead given Leandro Trossard’s first goal for the club in his fifth appearance since his January move from Brighton.

Ivan Toney scored Brentford’s equalizer to leave Arsenal without a win in their last three games in all competitions after defeats to Manchester City in the FA Cup and Everton in the league.

The Gunners are still in control of their destiny in their quest for a first Premier League title since 2004, but champions City can move within three points if they beat Aston Villa on Sunday.

Arsenal host City on Wednesday in a match that will go a long way in determining the title race.

Belgian striker Trossard came off the bench to make the breakthrough for Arsenal in the 66th minute.

Bukayo Saka floated a cross to the far post and Trossard scored with a clinical finish, his first goal for Arsenal or Brighton since October.

But Brentford pulled level eight minutes later when Toney headed into an empty net, angering Arteta after VAR failed to rule out a goal for offside against Ethan Pinnock.

“I just looked back and it was offside, yes,” Arteta said. It was too late, a goal was allowed and we lost two points.

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte returned to the helm after missing last weekend’s 1-0 win over Manchester City following gall bladder surgery, but his fifth-placed side were humiliated at the King Power Stadium.

Rodrigo Bentancur put Tottenham ahead in the 14th minute, meeting Ben Davies’ flick with a close-range finish that survived a VAR review for offside.

But Nampalys Mendy leveled in the 23rd minute and two minutes later, James Maddison produced a low finish.

Kelechi Iheanacho scored Leicester’s third in first-half stoppage time by curling into the bottom corner and Harvey Barnes completed the rout in the 81st minute.

“To be consistent is a long process, it’s a mental process, you have to be more mental and better with your approach. After scoring a goal, something changes.

“We struggled a lot and we are disappointed because of that. In the team something has to change, not individuals. It’s about desire,” said Tottenham assistant manager Cristian Stellini.

– Chelsea is frustrated –

Graham Potter admits Chelsea are still a “work in progress” after their Premier League winless run extended to three games as Joao Felix’s first goal for the Blues was canceled out by Emerson in a 1-1 draw at West Ham.

Potter’s expensively reassembled side failed to live up to the price tag as pressure was put on the Blues boss.

Portugal striker Felix put Chelsea ahead on his second appearance for the club, only for Italian defender Emerson to trouble his former side with an equalizer before half-time.

Ninth-placed Chelsea have won just one of their past eight games in all competitions and are nine points behind the top four in the Premier League.

“They’re a great group and we’re excited about the team and their potential, but it’s a work in progress,” Potter said.

Ten-man Wolves boosted their bid to avoid relegation with a 2-1 win at bottom of the table Southampton.

Carlos Alcaraz scored Southampton’s first goal midway through the first half.

Wolves had former Southampton midfielder Mario Lemina sent off moments later for two quick bookings.

But Jan Bednarek’s own goal in the 72nd minute turned the tide before Joao Gomes won for Wolves in the 15th at the death.

Crystal Palace’s James Tomkins salvaged a 1-1 draw against Brighton with a 69th-minute equalizer after Solly March had put Albion ahead six minutes earlier at Selhurst Park.

Goals from Willian and Manor Solomon gave Fulham a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest at Craven Cottage.

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