Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League remains five points after Manchester City squandered the chance to heap pressure on the Gunners by losing 1‑0 to Tottenham on Sunday. Everton had inflicted Arsenal’s second league defeat of the season by the same scoreline 24 hours earlier, but Mikel Arteta’s men were able to breathe a sigh of relief thanks to their north‑London rivals. Harry Kane’s record‑breaking goal to become Tottenham’s all‑time top scorer condemned City to a fifth consecutive away defeat against Spurs. It was also another weekend to forget for Liverpool, who were thrashed 3‑0 at Wolves, and for free‑spending Chelsea, who were held 0‑0 at home by Fulham.
**City let Arsenal off the hook** – Just as the tag of title favourites seemed to affect Arsenal’s young guns, they were handed a massive let‑off by the defending champions. Pep Guardiola’s team selection will be questioned after he left Kevin De Bruyne on the bench and allowed João Cancelo to leave on loan to Bayern Munich this week, a move that now looks increasingly bizarre as 18‑year‑old Rico Lewis toiled when forced to deputise at left‑back. City have already lost more league games this season than they did in the entirety of last season. Guardiola criticised his side’s lack of hunger to retain their title after they came from 2‑0 down to beat Tottenham 4‑2 last month, but his public berating has not produced the desired impact, and City are currently far below the heights reached in the Guardiola era.
**Chelsea can’t buy a goal** – Enzo Fernández made his Chelsea debut after becoming the most expensive player in British football history with a £107 million (£129 million) move from Benfica. The Argentine midfielder’s arrival capped a record‑breaking £320 million January spending spree for the Blues. Chelsea’s total spending in their first season under new ownership has now eclipsed half a billion, yet they languish in ninth place. Despite the money, Graham Potter’s men still lack a natural goalscorer, having scored just 22 goals in 21 league games. Kai Havertz is their top scorer with five, but he remains ill‑suited as a number nine, missing a hat‑trick of first‑half chances against Fulham. The solution for Todd Boehly’s consortium appears to be further spending, with a deal for RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku reportedly agreed for the summer, although the Frenchman may have to sacrifice Champions League football next season if he moves to Stamford Bridge.
**Unforeseen European dreams** – Chelsea and Liverpool’s struggles have opened the table for Brighton, Brentford and Fulham. Brighton have shrugged off the loss of former manager Graham Potter mid‑season and the sales of Marc Cucurella, Yves Bissouma and Leandro Trossard to Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal respectively. Despite being aware of their place in the Premier League’s hierarchy, the Seagulls continue to thrive. Kaoru Mitoma is already near the top of the big‑six’s wishlist for the summer after his fifth goal in seven games secured a 1‑0 win over Bournemouth, taking Brighton to sixth. Brentford sit just one point behind after a 3‑0 victory over Southampton extended their unbeaten run to nine league games, while Fulham sit a further point back in eighth. Manchester United and Newcastle’s progression to the League Cup final has likely ensured that sixth place will be enough for a European spot next season. In their current form, there is no reason for Brighton, Brentford and Fulham not to dream.
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