Two goals, but no winner: Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC drew in the top game of the Premier League on Saturday (December 23, 2023). West Ham had previously dealt Manchester United their next low blow.
In the top game, the “Reds” drew 1-1 (1-1) against leaders FC Arsenal and remain in second place in the table behind the club of national soccer player Kai Havertz. “Oh my God, how strong is Arsenal please? But the good news is: we are too,” Klopp said to the BBC after the game: “We should have scored the winning goal after the break. But instead of shooting, we pass it four or five times.”
The Gunners from London started furiously: defender Gabriel gave the lead with a header after just four minutes. The guests were also lucky that a handball by Martin Odegaard in the Arsenal penalty area was not punished (19th minute).
The equalizer came in a fast-paced game from star striker Mohamed Salah, who scored his 12th goal of the season to make it 1-1 (29th). With 151 goals, the Egyptian is now alone in tenth place in the ranking of the best Premier League shooters, with Alan Shearer (260) leading the way.
Liverpool’s Alexander-Arnold hits the crossbar
Things got spectacular after a duel between Bukayo Saka and Konstantinos Tsimikas on the outside line. Tsimikas went down, cleared Klopp – and had to be replaced with shoulder pain (33′).
After the break, Liverpool were in control, but it wasn’t enough to move into first place. Trent Alexander-Arnold missed the best chance when he hit the crossbar of the Arsenal goal after a counterattack (72nd).
West Ham shocks Manchester United
West Ham celebrated a deserved 2-0 win against the Red Devils on Saturday (December 23, 2023). Jarrod Bowen (72nd minute) and Mohammed Kudus (78th) ensured the “Hammers” third win from the last four league games in the final phase. The team from London’s East End climbed to sixth place for the time being.
United failed to score for the fourth competitive game in a row
United, on the other hand, remained without a win and without a goal in their fourth competitive game in a row. Erik ten Hag’s team, which continues to be in crisis, remains stuck in midfield.
The Red Devils could have taken the lead in London before half-time through Alejandro Garnacho, but the attacker was denied from close range by West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Aréola. On the other hand, Manchester goalkeeper André Onana saved the guests from falling behind after the restart with a header from Bowen.
Onana parried Bowen’s next attempt with his foot, and with a bit of luck the attacker pushed the rebound into the net to give West Ham the lead in the 72nd minute. Mohammed Kudus decided the game six minutes later with a low shot after losing the ball in the build-up game at Manchester. Ten Hag’s team couldn’t achieve anything offensively.
Tottenham narrowly wins
Tottenham Hotspur were happy about a home win against Everton FC. The “Spurs” won 2-1 (2-0) on Saturday. The goals for Tottenham were scored by Richarlison (9th) and Heung-Min Son (18th). Nevertheless, they had to tremble in the end after Everton’s André Gomes shortened the score (82′).
In the final phase, Everton could have equalized, but Arnaut Danjuma first failed with a left-footed shot past goalkeeper Vicario (85th), then he shot just over the goal (90th + 6th). Less than sixty seconds later, Danjuma hit the crossbar, from where the ball bounced onto Vicario’s knee – the equalizer was no longer achieved.
Damper for Aston Villa
The surprise team Aston Villa had to accept a setback on Friday evening on their way to potentially leading the table. After wins against the top teams Manchester City and Arsenal FC (1-0 each), team manager Unai Emery’s team came last against the previous team Sheffield United only to a 1:1 (0:0).
Aston Villa were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Sheffield United.
Thanks to Nicolo Zaniolo’s injury-time equalizer (90+8), Villa initially climbed to second place. With a win Villa would have, at least temporarily arsenal displaced from the top. But it did not get to that.
Villa initially celebrated the supposed opening goal by former Leverkusen player Leon Bailey (59th minute). However, the goal did not count because of a foul; referee Anthony Taylor took it back after viewing the video images. In the final stages, Cameron Archer (87th) struck on the opposite side when Villa’s defense was disorganized. Then Zaniolo saved the point late on with his first Premier League goal.
