10 Oct 2022

Arsenal back on top, while United hold on against Everton

9:09 am on 10 October 2022

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka scored twice, including a late winning penalty, as the hosts beat Liverpool 3-2 to send the Gunners back to the top of the Premier League.

Bukayo Saka of Arsenal

Bukayo Saka Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The home side opened the scoring after 58 seconds, Gabriel Martinelli sweeping home a perfect pass from captain Martin Odegaard, but Liverpool grew into the game and Darwin Nunez levelled in the 34th minute.

Saka put Arsenal back in front in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time as the hosts swept forward on the counter-attack and this time Martinelli was the provider, whipping the ball across the box for Saka to poke home a simple finish.

Liverpool levelled again eight minutes after the break as Diogo Jota found Firmino with a perfectly weighted through ball, and the Brazilian took a touch before slotting the ball across goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and into the net.

Arsenal came blazing back and a wild series of shots and blocks ended in a penalty when Liverpool's Thiago Alcantara was adjudged to have fouled Gabriel Jesus, and Saka made no mistake from the spot to put his side 3-2 up in the 76th minute.

It was enough to seal a win that takes Arsenal back into first place on 24 points, one ahead of second-placed Manchester City after nine games. Liverpool's second defeat of the season leaves them in 10th place on 10 points from eight games.

Cristiano Ronaldo stepped off the bench to earn Manchester United a 2-1 victory at Everton, taking his career goal tally to 700 in the process.

Everton opened the scoring and had numerous chances at the end but United held on for the win that takes them fifth with 15 points, while Everton's first loss in seven league matches leaves them 12th on 10 points.

West Ham United won back-to-back League games for the first time this season when they came from behind to beat Fulham 3-1 at home in a London derby.

Goals from Jarrod Bowen, Gianluca Scamacca and Michail Antonio moved David Moyes' side, who were in the relegation zone last month, up to 13th in the standings, a point behind ninth-placed Fulham.

Eberechi Eze's fine late winner earned Crystal Palace a 2-1 comeback victory over Leeds United.

Leeds stay 14th, one place ahead of Palace.

-Reuters