Arsenal moved to the top of the Premier League with a 1-0 win at Anfield, ending a run of 13 visits without a victory there. Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the match as Mikel Arteta's side held firm after taking the lead.
Arsenal's defensive organisation proves decisive
Liverpool failed to register a shot on target, and the quality of their final ball was lacking. Arsenal's organisation in defence was a key factor, with the team refusing to be affected by the occasion or the stadium atmosphere as they have been in previous visits. In April 2023, Granit Xhaka's clash with Trent Alexander-Arnold had energised home fans when Arsenal led 2-0, and the game finished 2-2. On Sunday, Liverpool's flurries of attacking play came to nothing.
The result leaves Liverpool nine points behind Arsenal with a quarter of the season gone. The squad carries the weight of a failed rebuild from the summer of 2025. Florian Wirtz hit the crossbar but was too slow when a second-half chance arrived, while Alexander Isak does not press from the front as his manager demands. Jérémy Jacquet and Trey Nyoni offered some encouragement as young players who can develop.
Bournemouth extend winning run
Bournemouth won their sixth consecutive match, scoring 16 goals without reply. Goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic has not conceded since a 5-1 defeat at Chelsea on 10 October. "The Chelsea game was the moment we changed all momentum," Petrovic said after beating Leeds. Marco Rose's side have added defensive solidity, with last season's goal difference having been +4. "Everyone in the team, starting from the attackers, is doing their job offensively and defensively," Rose said.
Chelsea and Brighton build momentum
Roméo Lavia completed his first 90 minutes as a Chelsea player in the Carabao Cup defeat by Liverpool, then followed it with a second consecutive full game as Chelsea beat Manchester United 2-0. Lavia created the opening goal for Morgan Rogers. "As long as I feel good, I'll do everything possible to help the team to get this type of result and I'm feeling good, so I'm very happy with my performance," Lavia said.
Brighton moved to 19 points, two behind Manchester City, after a 1-0 win at the Etihad. Manager Fabian Hürzeler emphasised the importance of connection and culture. "On the pitch, they need to rely on each other, trust each other," he said.
Other results and implications
Tottenham's 18-year-old Luca Williams-Barnett made his first league appearance in an 88th-minute cameo against Crystal Palace. Roberto De Zerbi said: "My career is clear: when I have young, talented players, nothing changes."
Igor Thiago scored his second goal of the season as Brentford beat Nottingham Forest 2-0, their first win in five. Julio Enciso earned Ipswich a point at Hull with a strike from the edge of the box, taking his season tally to two goals and two assists. Coventry beat Sunderland 3-1, with Sunderland now 12 points worse off than after nine games last season.
