MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester City’s hopes of winning the Premier League title are at stake. Another blow After a 1-1 draw with Brighton on Wednesday.
Even Erling Haaland’s 150th goal for the club wasn’t enough to stop City from dropping a point at home for the second time and recording a third successive draw. Kaoru Mitoma’s equalizer prevented Josep Guardiola’s side from closing the gap. 1st place Arsenal Up to 3 points.
City’s manager insisted missed chances were the reason for their recent setbacks.
“We were expecting a goal, but it doesn’t matter. We have to score goals. We weren’t able to do that and we have to accept that,” he said.
Aston Villa also ended up in a goalless draw with Crystal Palace, missing out on a chance to move within three points of first place Arsenal.
Manchester United’s first game since then Reuben Amorim fired Monday’s game ended in a 2-2 draw with relegation contenders Burnley, with new Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior watching from the stands as his team lost 2-1 to Fulham.
Newcastle scored in the 12th minute of stoppage time to beat Leeds 4-3. According to the Premier League, he became the competition’s newest winner on record. And Antoine Semenyo also scored in stoppage time as Bournemouth beat Tottenham 3-2 in what could be his last game before his widely anticipated move to City.
City held again
It was the second time City had taken the lead at home, easing the pressure on leaders Arsenal.
After Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea, Josep Guardiola’s side faced Brighton again.
Haaland’s penalty in the 41st minute gave City the lead going into half-time. However, Haaland was guilty of squandering a golden chance to score the winning goal by firing a shot directly at Brighton goalkeeper Bad Verbruggen in the dying minutes of the game, after Mitoma scored the equalizer in the same period.
“It’s not just one or two players, it’s all the players up front,” Guardiola said.
The three consecutive draws include a 0-0 draw with Sunderland on New Year’s Day.
Second-placed City are five points behind Arsenal, having played one more game. Arsenal could widen the gap at the top of the table to eight points if they beat Liverpool on Thursday.
Villa are level on points with City in third place after their 0-0 draw with Palace, but it is the second time in three games that Unai Emery’s side have dropped points.
Sesco’s double not enough for United
Darren Fletcher was unable to lead United to victory in his first match as caretaker manager, with Jadon Anthony scoring a long-range equalizer for second-bottom Burnley.
Benjamin Sesco’s brace helped United recover from an early Aiden Haven own goal. But Burnley regained a draw with a superb strike from Anthony.
United have won one of their last six games but only three of their last 12.
Fletcher then said he would remain in charge for Sunday’s FA Cup match against Brighton. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick He is one of the candidates for interim manager until the end of the season.
“It’s been a great experience. It’s a shame we didn’t win the game. I can’t hide that, but the experience of leading the team, preparing the team and supporting the team has been a pleasure and an honor,” Fletcher said.
chelsea lose
Rosenior has a job at Chelsea.
The Club World Cup winners have extended their winless streak to five games and are eighth in the standings.
Harry Wilson’s 82nd-minute goal sealed Fulham’s victory over Chelsea, who were managed by Callum MacFarlane on an interim basis, despite Marc Cucurella being sent off early in the game and Rosenior taking over on Tuesday.
Rosenior’s first game will be against Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup on Saturday.
slow, slow drama
In what may go down as one of the best Premier League games of the season, Harvey Barnes scored in the 102nd minute as Newcastle defeated Leeds 4-3.
Leeds led three times at St James’ Park and were 3-2 up after 90 minutes.
However, there was still a lot of drama to come.
Bruno Guimarães made it 3-3 from the penalty spot in the 91st minute, before Barnes spun to score his second goal of the match.
Thiago’s record
Brentford moved up to fifth place with a 3-0 win over Sunderland, with Igor Thiago continuing his outstanding scoring performance.
The Brazilian scored two more goals for Keith Andrews’ side, taking his individual tally for the season to 17 goals. He has scored 16 goals in the Premier League, with only Haaland scoring more than him with 20.
His double followed on from his hat-trick against Everton on Sunday.
According to statistics agency Opta, Thiago has set the record for most goals scored by a Brazilian player in a single season in the Premier League.
“Goals are what you get for a striker and it’s fair to say he’s having a special season,” Andrews said.
Nine-a-side Everton drew 1-1 with bottom-place Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Wolves, who have lost 12 games in a row, are currently unbeaten in three games, but are still 14 points out of safety.
Semenyo farewell?
He is widely expected to complete his move to City and if this is his last game for Bournemouth, Semenyo will be sent off in style.
Scoring the goal five minutes into stoppage time, the forward sealed a dramatic late win against Spurs, ending Bournemouth’s 11-game winless run.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola said: “There’s still a process to go. It’s scary to say because we don’t want to lose him, but it looks like this could be his last moment with us.”
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