EPL: Top guns win as Arsenal remain five points clear at top
Following an outburst leading to speculation over his future, Salah was left out of Liverpool's squad for their Champions League trip to Inter Milan but he return to squad to set up their second goal after coming off the bench midway in the first half.
New Delhi: Arsenal scrapped to a 2-1 win against bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers at home courtesy of two own goals to open up a five-point gap at the top of the English Premier League standings while Mohammed Salah overcame a turbulent week to hep Liverpool win 2-0 over Brighton and Hove Albion.
Wolves have only won two of their opening 16 matches but battled bravely to equalise through Tolu Arokodare’s header in the 90th minute after the Gunners lead from 20 minutes when Bukayo Saka’s corner clattered on the underside of bar and went in after bouncing off keeper Sam Johnstone’s back.
But Mikel Arteta’s side enjoyed a huge stroke of luck when Yerson Mosquera headed into his own net under pressure from Gabriel Jesus in the fourth minute of added time to rescue a victory and secure a five-point lead with 36 points from 16 games with Manchester City on 31 from 15 before their clash against Crystal Palace later on Sunday.
Aston Villa are third on 30 from 15 and face third-from-bottom West Ham United. Wolves remain winless, with their two points being a joint-record low after first 16 games in the English top-flight, level with Sheffield United in 2020-21 season.
"We are relieved because we managed to score at the end and go and win it but we need to improve," Arsenal manager Arteta said after their match.
"We will take the points and move forward. We won't know (the significance) until May, but we can be happy tonight that we left with three points," Arsenal captain Saka said.
Salah’s record
Following an outburst leading to speculation over his future, Salah was left out of Liverpool’s squad for their Champions League trip to Inter Milan but he return to squad to set up their second goal after coming off the bench midway in the first half.
It was the Egyptian’s 277th goal involvement for Liverpool in the EPL, surpassing Wayne Rooney's 276 for Manchester United, the most for a single club.
"He was back in the squad again and we needed him because he was the first substitution I made," manager Arne Slot said.
"He assisted for the 2-0 for the corner kick which is also very nice for us because we have been so many times this season on the wrong side of the set-piece battle."
The Defending champions moved up to sixth with 26 points while Brighton are ninth on 23.
Chelsea climbed up to fourth on 28 following a 2-0 home win against Everton as Cole Palmer scored first goal since September.
Fulham moved away from the relegation zone with a 3-2 victory away at Burnley, their after 35 matches first since 1951. Burnley have now lost seven consecutive top-tier games for the first time since 1895.