Arsenal responded to the pressure applied by Manchester City by beating Brighton 2-1 to retake top spot in the Premier League after Rayan Cherki inspired Pep Guardiola’s side to victory at Nottingham Forest.
Florian Wirtz scored his first Liverpool goal as the Reds beat Wolves 2-1 on an emotional occasion at Anfield as Diogo Jota’s former clubs met for the first time since his death.
City’s 2-1 win in the lunchtime kick-off at the City Ground took them top for a couple of hours.
However, Arsenal hit straight back despite making life difficult for themselves against inferior opposition once more.
The Gunners have been guilty of not killing games off in recent weeks in narrow wins over Wolves and Everton before sneaking past Crystal Palace on penalties in the League Cup quarter-finals in midweek.
Martin Odegaard’s fine strike was all the home side had to show for their first-half domination at Emirates Stadium.
Jota’s children join tributes as Liverpool, Wolves pay respects to ex-player
Arsenal had some fortune for the vital second goal when Georginio Rutter turned Declan Rice’s corner into his own net.
But Arsenal nerves were frayed after Diego Gomez pulled a goal back.
David Raya produced a stunning save to deny Yankuba Minteh as Arsenal held on to win by a solitary goal for the seventh time in their 13 league victories this season.
Ryan Gravenberch slammed home the opening goal for Liverpool before Wirtz finally struck for the first time since his £100 million ($135 million) move from Bayer Leverkusen.
Liverpool are now unbeaten in seven games but were still far from convincing against a Wolves side without a league win all season.
Santiago Bueno pulled a goal back for the visitors, who remain on just two points from 18 games.
West Ham are still five points adrift of safety as Raul Jimenez earned Fulham a 1-0 win at the London Stadium.
Burnley are now winless in nine games after a 0-0 draw at home to Everton.
Brentford climbed into the top half with a 4-1 win over struggling Bournemouth thanks to a Kevin Schade hat-trick.
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