ManCity is defeated at home, Liverpool still collects the compensation and fears for Naby Keita. Arsenal are knocking on top again – but goalkeeper Bernd Leno seems to have his place on the bench for the time being.
Champions League winners Chelsea FC extended their table lead on matchday 10 of the English Premier League. Coach Thomas Tuchel’s team won 3-0 (0-0) on Saturday at Sheikh Club Newcastle United, which is still in danger of relegation. The table runner-up Liverpool FC, meanwhile, gave a two-goal lead against Brighton & Hove Albion and came in Anfield only to a 2: 2 (2: 1). Manchester City lost 0-2 (0-1) at home against Crystal Palace. (All results of the Premier League can be found here)
For the Blues, who had to do without their injured strikers Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku and the sick Mason Mount in Newcastle, Reece James was the man of the game. The 21-year-old scored in the 65th and 77th minute for the Tuchel team. Jorginho (81st) increased with a penalty after a foul on Kai Havertz. With 25 points at the top, Chelsea are now three points ahead of Liverpool.
The Reds had taken the lead through Jordan Henderson (4th) and Sadio Mané (24th). A second goal from Mané after a serious mistake by Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was denied for handball – as was an offside goal by Mohamed Salah after the connection by the former Salzburg Enock Mwepu (41.). Leandro Trossard (65th) managed to equalize the strong guests from Brighton, who are now sixth in the table. Another downer for Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp: Ex-Leipzig Naby Keita, who had just returned after an injury, had to be replaced after 20 minutes due to complaints.
Master Man City fell behind early in their own stadium. Wilfried Zaha (6th) scored for Crystal Palace. Shortly before the break, Aymeric Laporte saw for a foul on Zaha Rot. The Cityzens cheered the alleged equalizer after an hour, but Gabriel Jesus’ goal was denied after video evidence because of an offside position. Conor Gallagher (88.) then made everything clear for Palace.
Arsenal climb the table
The German Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno will probably only be a spectator in the Premier League despite his good cup performance last Tuesday against Leeds (2-0). In Arsenal’s 2-0 away win against Leicester City on Saturday, the 29-year-old Leno watched his rival Aaron Ramsdale again with strong saves. Ramsdale sensationally held a free kick from James Maddison, among other things. The 23-year-old newcomer was the celebrated hero of the Gunners.
Relegated in succession at Bournemouth AFC and Sheffield United, Ramsdale joined Arsenal last summer. His move for the equivalent of more than 35 million euros initially caused astonishment. But after the Londoners lost the first three games of the season with Leno in goal and conceded a total of nine goals, coach Mikel Arteta had been between the posts on Ramsdale since the fourth matchday. Since then, Arsenal have not lost in seven league games (five wins, four goals conceded).
Arteta had recently given Leno little hope of a comeback as number one in public. “I think he performed well during the week so that’s why he’s here,” said the Arsenal coach on Friday. “When he plays he has to do it at the highest level, and when he doesn’t play he has to support his team-mates just like everyone else.” British media are already speculating that Leno will leave London soon.