PA Media/dpa
London
Mohamed Salah’s equaliser snatched a Premier League point for Liverpool as they drew 2-2 with Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday.
Arsenal led twice but were undermined by injuries to key defenders Gabriel and Jurrien Timber in the second half, having already been without the suspended William Saliba.
The setbacks allowed Liverpool to apply pressure and take a point, leaving Manchester City at the top of the table - with Arsenal now five points adrift of the relentless reigning champions.
Arsenal were rewarded for a fast start when Bukayo Saka bamboozled Andy Robertson to score his 50th Premier League goal, striking at the near post after nine minutes.
Their lead only lasted until the 18th minute when Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk equalised, nodding in from close range after Luis Diaz headed on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross at the near post.
Mikel Merino put Arsenal ahead again with a powerful header from Declan Rice’s free-kick shortly before half-time.
Liverpool improved after the break and Salah equalised with a routine finish from Darwin Nunez’s unselfish square ball after he had been set clear by Alexander-Arnold’s superb pass. It leaves them a point behind Manchester City in second place.
Jarrod Bowen’s stoppage-time penalty piled more pressure on Erik ten Hag after West Ham United beat Manchester United 2-1.
Substitute Crysencio Summerville sent the Hammers ahead, but his goal was soon cancelled out by Casemiro’s header, which looked to have salvaged a point for United.
However, Matthijs de Ligt’s challenge on Danny Ings saw referee David Coote consult the pitchside monitor and following a lengthy VAR review, West Ham were awarded a penalty which Bowen slotted home from the spot.
Cole Palmer scored his seventh goal of the season as Chelsea beat Newcastle to continue their impressive start.
Palmer struck early in the second half when his clean strike from just inside the penalty area beat Nick Pope at his near post.
Nicolas Jackson’s fifth league goal of the campaign had given the Blues an 18th-minute lead, when he fired home from Pedro Neto’s square ball after Palmer’s delicious pass set Chelsea away.
But Newcastle were level 14 minutes later thanks to Alexander Isak’s tap-in.
Isak perhaps should have levelled towards the end of the game after rounding goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, but his attempt to walk the ball in was thwarted by Chelsea
defenders.
Chelsea thought they had a late penalty when Christopher Nkunku went down inside the box under a challenge. It was initially given but the decision was overturned following a review by the video assistant referee after it appeared Nkunku slipped.
In the end, Palmer’s seventh goal in just nine Premier League games secured the three points that elevated Chelsea to fourth in the table.
They could drop to fifth if Arsenal avoid defeat against Liverpool later on Sunday, but Chelsea’s presence in the higher reaches underlines their impressive form under boss Enzo Maresca so far this season.
They have won five of their nine Premier League games under the former Leicester manager, losing only to Manchester City and Liverpool.
Newcastle, meanwhile, are 12th and are now winless in their last five league outings.
Premier League
Sunday ResultscColor:>
Crystal Palace 1 Tottenham 0
Chelsea 2 Newcastle United 1
West Ham 2 Man United 1
Arsenal 2 Liverpool 2