BRIGHTON, April 7: Arsenal regained first place in the English Premier League after goals from Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard secured a 3-0 win that dented Brighton’s push for Europe on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta’s team arrived at Amex Stadium having dropped to third place following Manchester City’s 4-2 win at Crystal Palace earlier in the day.
Saka, declared fit after missing the midweek win over Luton through injury, set the Gunners on course to return to the summit by converting a first-half penalty after Tariq Lamptey was adjudged to have tripped Gabriel Jesus despite appearing to touch the ball first.
Havertz tapped in the second goal before setting up substitute Trossard to seal victory over his former club.
The visitors were worthy winners on the south coast and sit a point ahead of both Liverpool, whose game in hand is at Manchester United on Sunday, and City. Arsenal’s attention switches to a Champions League quarterfinal against Bayern Munich, with the first leg on Tuesday.
Brighton faded after a strong start and its first top-flight home loss in 13 outings, dating to August, left the team with an uphill task to secure European football for the second successive year, on the back of this season’s Europa League adventure.
United hold Liverpool
Liverpool squandered the opportunity to return to the top of the Premier League as they were held to a draw in another Old Trafford thriller with Manchester United.
Manager Jurgen Klopp and his players will wonder how they failed to avenge the FA Cup quarter-final loss here last month as they paid the price for missing numerous chances, having overrun the hosts for long periods.
Liverpool only had a Luis Diaz strike to show for almost total first-half superiority in which they had 15 shots to none from United, whose manager Erik ten Hag was thankful for the visitors’ wastefulness and saves from keeper Andre Onana.
United, almost unbelievably, were gifted a lifeline five minutes after the break when Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah passed straight to Bruno Fernandes, who lifted a finish over stranded keeper Caoimhin Kelleher from the centre circle.
Kobbie Mainoo put them ahead after 67 minutes with a superb curling finish at the Stretford End for his first home goal.
But Liverpool salvaged the draw, which was the least they deserved, when Mohamed Salah scored from the spot with six minutes of normal time left after Aaron Wan-Bissaka lunged in late on Harvey Elliott.
Liverpool now lie second behind Arsenal on goal difference, with Manchester City a point further back in third place. (Agencies)
