Premier League leaders Arsenal and their near neighbours Tottenham Hotspur both conceded late, late goals on Saturday, to see two crucial points disappear from their tallies on a stunning weekend of football for the London giants.
Regis de Bris’ Sunderland have written the Premier League 2025 news headlines in the North East with their superb start to their first campaign back in the top flight; and they were at it again as centre back Dan Ballard burst though the Gunners’ defence to blast home the opener and take the roof off the Stadium of Light.
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners were totally dominant in the second half and looked to be coasting to an 11th consecutive win when a goal from Bukayo Saka and a beauty from Leandro Trossard had turned the game around. But the Black Cats weren’t done, and substitute Brian Brobbey beat Arsenal keeper David Raya on 94 minutes to stop the Londoners in their tracks.
Sunderland have had the easiest start in the league in terms of fixtures, but now they have beaten Chelsea away, 1-2, and held runaway leaders Arsenal – so this looks nothing like a flash in the pan. The Black Cats scored twice against a team which had collected eight clean sheets on the run. And Arsenal missed the chance to go nine points clear at the top.
Meanwhile, back in North London Tottenham managed to concede a 96th minute leveller as they drew 2-2 with Manchester United, again after turning the game around. The in-form Bryan Mbeumo headed the Red Devils into a first half lead, which the visitors held onto until the 84th minute when Mathys Tel equalised. Richarlison thought he’d won it a minute into stoppage time, to spark wild celebrations, but once the Brazilian star had put his shirt back on he and his team-mates switched off and watched as Matthijs de Ligt headed home with 96 minutes on the clock.
Guardiola’s Day as City thrash Liverpool
Manchester City’s clash with Liverpool was the big SBOTOP clash on Sunday and a huge day for City boss Pep Guardiola who was taking charge of his 1000th professional game. And it could hardly have gone better for the Citizens as they ran out comfortable 3-0 winners over the reigning champions. The optimism around Liverpool, when they spent so heavily in the transfer window, has all but disappeared as they dropped down to eighth place, below Manchester United by the way, and with a goal difference of just plus one.
Erling Haaland even managed to miss a penalty won by man-of-the-match Jeremy Doku before he scored with a trademark header. And City were two up at the break when Nico Gonzalez saw his low shot ricochet in off Virgil Van Dijk. Doku rounded off the scoring with a beautiful curling shot mid way through the second half and the Sky Blues climbed up to within four points of leaders Arsenal. Pep’s boys will fancy their chances if they are on the shoulders of the Gunners in mid March.
The Premier League 2025 betting odds have taken note and Guardiola’s Sky Blues are certainly back in the hunt…while Liverpool boss Arne Slot has a lot of thinking to do.
Elsewhere Aston Villa recorded a memorable 4-0 win over previously high flying Bournemouth with four different scorers, the in form Donyell Malen rounding off the scoring. And Sean Dyche picked up a first win as Nottingham Forest boss, steering his team to a 3-1 win over Leeds United after going a goal down. The Tricky Trees move to within a point of safety and just two behind free falling Leeds.
Chelsea up…Wolves down
Over in the West End of London Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea moved up to second place on Saturday night, dropping to third behind Manchester City on Sunday, as they swept bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers away with a clinical second half display and a 3-0 win. Wolves fought hard to get into the break at 0-0 but, after the Blues had, rather oddly, been booed off at half time the hosts came out and ripped the Midlanders apart. Malo Gusto met an Alejandro Garnacho cross to head home the first goal of his career, to put Chelsea ahead on 51 minutes, and soon enough Joao Pedro marked his 100th Premier League appearance with a goal. The excellent Garnacho left Santiago Bueno in his wake before crossing for Pedro Neto to make it 3-0 against the manager-less Wolves, who, with just two points from 11 games have a mountain to climb… and I don’t think they have any snow shoes!
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