The win extends Manchester City’s lead over Chelsea, who take on third-placed Liverpool on Sunday, to 11 points, while Arsenal are fourth on 35 points.
Rodri scored in stoppage time and broke Arsenal’s resistance. (Reuters Photo)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta missed the game due to a positive COVID-19 test
- Arsenal cast aside any lingering memories of their 5-0 thrashing at the hands of City in August
- The visitors levelled from the spot through Riyad Mahrez early in the second half
Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur benefitted from late goals as they beat 10-man Arsenal and Watford respectively in the Premier League on Saturday.
A stoppage-time goal from midfielder Rodri gave Premier League leaders Manchester City a 2-1 win at Arsenal on New Year’s Day as the home side finished a thrilling encounter with 10 men following the sending-off of defender Gabriel.
Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta missed the game due to a positive COVID-19 test, but his side cast aside any lingering memories of their 5-0 thrashing at the hands of City in August as they pressed high up the pitch from the first whistle.
Their early pressure looked to have paid dividends when playmaker Martin Odegaard was upended in the box by goalkeeper Ederson, but neither the referee nor VAR deemed the challenge worth of a penalty.
The Gunners eventually took a deserved lead in the 31st minute when Bukayo Saka finished a sweeping move by rifling home Kieran Tierney’s pass, and they closed out the first half without allowing City a single shot on target.
Seeking their 11th Premier League win in a row, City were not prepared to give up and they flipped the script in the second half to claw their way back into the game.
SANCHEZ FIRES TOTTENHAM TO VICTORY
Davinson Sanchez struck deep into stoppage time to earn Tottenham Hotspur a 1-0 victory away to struggling Watford in the Premier League on Saturday.
The visitors had looked like being frustrated in their attempt to boost their top-four prospects as the hosts defended resolutely in a dreary affair at Vicarage Road.
For the second game in succession Antonio Conte’s Spurs side lacked attacking spark, although they did have decent chances for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Sergio Reguilon and Harry Kane.
But it took defender Sanchez to break the deadlock in the sixth minute of stoppage time, flicking in a header from a whipped delivery by Son Heung-min.
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