00:00The Premier League delivered a gripping weekend of action as the title race and mid-table battle took fresh twists.
00:09Arsenal edge Wolves 2-1 at the Emirates with two late home goals, securing a dramatic victory that extended their advantage at the top of the table.
00:17The result underscored the Gunners' resilience in tight encounters as the title race intensified, but manager Mikel Arteta described the performance as unacceptable.
00:27We had to improve in the second half in relation to that. I think we did it. We generated more chances to score a goal, but after we had a period of two or three minutes in deep, totally passive with horrible defensive habits that is nowhere near the level that is required against a team that hasn't had a single shot, the first time that they had the opportunity to do it, they scored a goal.
00:48And this is the Premier League. And unfortunately, we are relieved because we managed to score a goal at the end and go and win it.
00:55But we need to improve in that sense, for sure.
00:59Manchester City responded on Sunday, cruising to a 3-0 win at Crystal Palace.
01:04Serling Haaland struck twice, including from the spot, and Phil Foden out of the third as City kept pressure on Arsenal in the race for domestic honours.
01:12But, yeah, difficult, difficult, difficult game. We knew it, but we prepared really well after a tough game emotionally against Madrid.
01:20So, yeah, really pleased for many things that are going to happen inside of the locker room and many things we have to improve.
01:28Madrid, they give me a lot of signals that still we are not ready.
01:32In terms of no mentality, I would say, in terms of how to approach certain games, but because they are young, some players.
01:38But, of course, we are really, really pleased because I know how tough they are.
01:45And make 0-3 here is a good statement for us.
01:48In a standout derby, Sunderland stunned Newcastle United 1-0 in the first time we're League Derby in nearly a decade.
01:57And our goal proved decisive in a heated contest, with Sunderland climbing the table and claiming local bragging rights.
02:03And we know that our performance was off of what we needed it to be today.
02:10Not from a defensive perspective, I thought.
02:13We defended pretty well today, all through the game.
02:15It was a game of really few chances for both teams.
02:18Unfortunately, the one big moment goes against us.
02:22And it was, yeah, it was a bizarre goal, really, to lose the game with.
02:25But it happened, and then we weren't good enough to open them up.
02:29Criticism comes with every defeat, but, of course, with this one, I think it will be louder.
02:33And stronger, just because of the game and the importance of the game.
02:37And we fully acknowledge that, and that's why it hurts so much.
02:40So disappointed for our supporters, and sorry for the performance, really,
02:46in a sense of the lack of goal-mouth action, the lack of clinical attacking,
02:50which we've tried to pride ourselves on over recent seasons.
02:52It wasn't there today, and, you know, for that we're sorry.
02:56Certainly wasn't a lack of effort from the lads, but today wasn't our day.
02:59Aston Villa continue their form, coming behind to seal a 3-2 win at West Ham United,
03:06with Morgan Rodgers starring with a brace in a high-tempo fixture.
03:10Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest produced a statement, 3-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur,
03:15boosting their survival hopes and halting Spurs' recent momentum,
03:20with now further questions being asked of manager Thomas Frank.
03:23If you lose a game like this, that's the frustrating part, of course.
03:28I think every game, I think, onto the 1-0 goal, I think it was a little bit back and forth
03:34for both teams, half-transitioned both ways.
03:37And then after the first goal, I think we lost structure and were more disjointed,
03:44and then the 2-0 goal killed the game off.
03:47Basically not in the game after that, in my opinion.
03:52And that's part of keep the structure, keep the game plan, keep going, keep doing the right things.
03:57So that's definitely, it's not the first time we've seen that.
04:01This year, last year, whatever, that's something that's ongoing work in progress
04:08before we be more consistent in that.
04:09Chelsea maintained their climb up the table with a 2-0 win over Everton at Stamford Bridge,
04:15and Liverpool posted a 2-0 victory against Brighton,
04:18with Salah returning to the fold to bolster the Reds' attacking threat.
04:24Fulham enjoyed a landmark result, beating Burnley 3-2 at Turf Moor for the first time in decades,
04:29easing their relegation concerns.
04:32From derby drama and title race shifts to survival battles and statement wins,
04:36as this weekend's Premier League fixtures set the stage for a compelling festive schedule ahead.
Comments