Izuchukwu Okosi
Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes were severely dealt a big blow on Saturday evening as the Gunners were held to a 1-1 by visiting Brentford.:
Arsenal last w4eekend were beaten 1-0 by Everton in only their second defeat of the season and were seemingly done a favour by north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur who won the next day against City.
The first half ended on a scoreless note but Arsenal vastly improved their overall attacking play and got their reward when substitute, Leandro Trossard put them ahead.
The former Brighton star pounced on a good cross from Bukayo Saka and prodded the ball into the net.
However Ivan Toney equalised with a header after VAR’s check.
Earlier in the day, Chelsea were also held to a 1-1 draw by West Ham United, at the London stadium.
Joao Felix scored Chelsea’s goal albeit he had an earlier effort ruled out for offside, likewise Germany international, Kai Havertz.
West Ham secured a draw thanks to a former Chelsea full back, Emerson Palmieri.
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Crystal Palace drew 1-1 with Brighton at Selhurst Park.
In the 34th minute, Pervis Estupinan thought he had scored his first goal for Brighton, but it was ruled out by VAR for offside as he latched onto a through ball from Pascal Gross.
But Solly March put the visitors ahead with his fifth goal in his last seven matches in the 63rd minute after meeting Estupinan’s cross at the back post.
Palace equalised in the 69th minute through James Tomkins, after Robert Sanchez dropped what looked to be a straightforward cross to catch.
Southampton lost 2-1 to Wolves at St Mary’s.
Carlos Alcaraz broke the deadlock in the 24th minute with a right-footed strike which went in off the post.
Wolves were reduced to ten men three minutes later after Mario Lemina was handed a second yellow card.
A Jan Bednarek own goal was the equaliser for Wolves in the 71st minute after he sent the ball into his own net with Adama Traore forcing the mistake.
Wolves got their winner in the 87th minute through Joao Gomes who scored his first goal for the club.
Fulham have recorded their first Premier League win since January 12 with a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest.
A fine curling strike into the top corner from Wilian set them on their way, and the points were secured by Manor Solomon.
Forest will have to contend with injury problems as Scott McKenna and Willy Boly were both substituted in the seventh minute; the earliest any side has ever subbed off two starters in a Premier League game.
It was also a disappointing day for Tottenham after they lost 4-1 to Leicester.
Nigeria international, Kelechi Iheanacho scored one and assisted another.
The Super Eagles star was on the cusp of having two assists in the game but a James Maddison’s supposed second goal was ruled out for offside.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
