March 11 – Arsenal have emerged from a cinematic weekend of Premier League action on top of the table as Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola closed the curtain on their era of rivalry in style.
Over the course of the weekend, the Premier League had three different leaders: beginning with Liverpool, who were then usurped by Arsenal, who were then overtaken by Manchester City for a matter of minutes before returning to the top courtesy of Alexis Mac Allister’s 50th-minute equaliser.
Whilst Arsenal left it late against Brentford, Liverpool and City engaged in a thrilling 1-1 draw at Anfield. Despite the low scoreline, the match provided a cinematic climax to an enthralling, seven-year tactical battle between City’s Spanish genius and Liverpool’s German talisman, rather poetically finishing in a draw.
City opened the scoring through John Stones in the 23rd minute, whose finish crept in at the near post following a cleverly worked corner delivery by Kevin De Bruyne.
The Reds earned a way back into the game through Ederson’s foul as he cleared out Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez, picking up an injury for his troubles. Alexis Mac Allister calmly converted to bring the scoreline level.
Liverpool were unlucky not to return to the top of the table, finishing a dominant display with a last-gasp penalty shout as City substitute Jeremy Doku appeared to karate kick Mac Allister inside the box with seconds left to play.
The fixture recorded Anfield’s all-time highest attendance at 59,947 thanks to the completion of the Anfield Road end last month.
“It was a really good football game,” said Jurgen Klopp after the match. “What a game, what an atmosphere, what an afternoon. I’m really happy with the whole performance.”
The point means that Liverpool sit level with Arsenal on points, but drop to second due to the Gunners’ impressive goal difference.
“We started really well but they are an incredible team,” started City boss Pep Guardiola, “We had our moments, they had theirs. The way they play, it is not easy. We take that point.”
Ahead of Sunday’s bloackbuster, Arsenal scraped past Brentford in front of a packed-out Emirates Stadium, with £67.5 million signing Kai Havertz supplying a late winner for the Gunners.
Arsenal will play third-placed Manchester City immediately after the international break, in yet another match that could completely change the complexion of the title race. Before then, they host Porto in the Champions League on Tuesday night as they look to turn around Galeno’s last-minute winner in the reverse fixture.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1713947309labto1713947309ofdlr1713947309owedi1713947309sni@g1713947309niwe.1713947309yrrah1713947309