Arsenal failed to make significant inroads into Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League after being held to a 1-1 draw at Fulham this afternoon.
The Gunners thought they had won it late on only for Bukayo Saka’s goal to be ruled out by VAR for an offside in the build-up against Gabriel Martinelli.
Saka puts the ball in the back of the net but Arsenal’s celebrations are cut short after a VAR check shows Martinelli was offside! ❌ pic.twitter.com/fZUSp3UAHu
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 8, 2024
Raul Jimenez had earlier put the home side ahead, firing past David Raya from a tight angle, only for Arsenal to score from a corner for the fourth game in succession six minutes into the second half.
Kai Havertz knocked down Declan Rice’s delivery and William Saliba was on hand to nudge the ball over the line.
Despite the postponement of yesterday’s Merseyside derby due to Storm Darragh, it has been a good weekend for Liverpool with both Arsenal and Manchester City drawing.
Arsenal are six points behind Arne Slot’s side with City a further two points adrift.
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Odegaard frustrated
Gunners captain Martin Odegaard told Sky Sports: “We dominated most of the game. The first half wasn’t great. We were a bit sloppy and lacked energy and power. The second half was a lot better. It’s frustrating not to win. We were close in the end with the goal.
“They’re a good team. They know how to defend. A solid block. We didn’t do enough today. We have to learn from that and straight back in for the next one.
“We have to focus on ourselves. We don’t care about the other teams [in the title race].
“We did a lot of good things. We have to do more and put the ball in the box more times. Maybe be a bit more direct and aggressive. We could have won it in the end.
“It’s a very long way to go. We’ve said hundreds of times we have to keep going game by game.”
Vardy inspires Leicester comeback
Brighton missed the chance to go fifth after a late collapse at Leicester.
The Seagulls were leading 2-0 and seemingly in control thanks to goals from Tariq Lamptey and Yankuba Minteh but Ruud van Nistelrooy’s men hit back with two efforts in the last five minutes.
First, Jamie Vardy converted James Justin’s deflected cross to halve the deficit before the former England striker then slid a cross into Bobby De Cordova-Reid to equalise.
It’s not over till it’s over 💙 pic.twitter.com/pPYdd55doh
— Leicester City (@LCFC) December 8, 2024
Late heartbreak for Ipswich
Bournemouth also produced a late escape to secure a 2-1 win at Ipswich.
The Tractor Boys looked set to claim their first home win of the season – and first since 2002 – after leading entering the 87th minute thanks to Conor Chaplin’s first-half strike.
But Enes Unal scrambled in an equaliser before Dango Outtara netted the winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
Cherries boss Andoni Iraola told the BBC: “We definitely didn’t deserve to lose, we had great chances but just failed to take them, especially in the first half. Even in the second half we had momentum from the beginning. You start to think it’s not your day but luckily we took them in the end.”
The win moved Bournemouth up to eighth while Ipswich remain 18th.
