EPL: Arsenal get title boost as Man City, Aston Villa drop points

Arsenal’s Premier League title prospects were enhanced on Wednesday as the club’s closest challengers Manchester City and Aston Villa both dropped points.

Erling Haaland scored his 150th goal for City as he put them in front against Brighton and Hove Albion from the penalty spot but Kaoru Mitoma equalised for the visitors on the hour with the game finishing 1-1.

It was the third successive draw for stuttering City who were held by Sunderland on New Year’s Day and by Chelsea at the weekend when they also conceded an equaliser.

Second-placed City remain five points behind Arsenal who can stretch the lead to eight if they beat Liverpool on Thursday.

Third-placed Villa are also five behind after they could only draw 0-0 in a dour contest at Crystal Palace.

Chelsea’s new manager Liam Rosenior watched on in the stands at Craven Cottage as his new club went down 2-1 at Fulham after having Marc Cucurella sent off midway through the first half.

Two days after sacking manager Ruben Amorim, Manchester United could only draw 2-2 at 19th-placed Burnley.

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Benjamin Sesko scored twice for United, doubling his tally for the season, but it was not enough to give caretaker manager Darren Fletcher a win as Jaidon Anthony’s equaliser earned Burnley a point. United slipped to seventh.

Brentford moved into fifth spot after a 3-0 home victory over Sunderland, Newcastle defeated Leeds 4-3 at St James’ Park, while Bottom club Wolves recent upturn continued with a 1-1 draw at Everton.

Antoine Semenyo also gave Bournemouth fans a farewell gift before his expected move to Manchester City, scoring in stoppage time to give his side a 3-2 victory at home against Tottenham Hotspur.

The Star