Premier League: Beaten at home by West Ham, Arsenal allows Liverpool to pull away at the top
Arsenal relinquished their position as the Premier League leaders by falling at home to West Ham (0-2) on Thursday, December 28. The Gunners are now in second place, trailing Liverpool by two points. Meanwhile, Brighton comfortably defeated Tottenham (4-2) during the same period.
Liverpool remains atop the Premier League following the underwhelming performance of its now-runner-up, Arsenal, who was defeated at the Emirates Stadium by West Ham (0-2) on Thursday, December 28, concluding the 19th matchday that witnessed losses for three out of the top five teams.
In addition to the Gunners, Tottenham was beaten at Brighton (4-2), while the third-placed Aston Villa succumbed to a late defeat on Tuesday against Manchester United (3-2).
Five days after holding Liverpool to a draw at Anfield Road (1-1), Arsenal unexpectedly succumbed to the team that had eliminated them from the League Cup in early November. The Hammers justified their coach David Moyes’ analysis, who stated before the match that this year was the best in the club’s history, notably with a triumph in the UEFA Europa Conference League.
They didn’t concede any chances in the first half-hour of play and even scored just before the quarter-hour mark after a misjudgment by Gabriel Magalhaes, seized upon by Tomas Soucek (0-1, 13’).
Among several clear chances for Brighton (17′, 32′, 45′), Joao Pedro went on to convert two penalties (2-0, 23′, and 3-0, 75′), with a powerful shot from Pervis Estupinan into the opposite top corner of Vicario’s net in the meantime (4-0, 63′). Alejo Veliz (4-1, 81′) and Ben Davies (4-2, 85′) reduced the deficit, but it was too late to unsettle the Seagulls.
Brighton repositions itself in eighth place, six points behind the top European spot.
