EPL: Arsenal go ahead of Liverpool, Manchester City in title race

A controversial 1-1 draw between Premier League title contenders Liverpool and Manchester City on Monday morning (AEDT) has allowed Arsenal to return to the top of the table.

In the final EPL clash between rival managers Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola, it was end-to-end action at its best.

City had the ascendency early in the match, as they pressed the Liverpool goal before a quickly taken Kevin De Bruyne corner found John Stones at the front post to open the scoring.

After taking the 1-0 lead into halftime, City had a horrible start to the second half as an errant challenge from goalkeeper Ederson gifted the Reds a penalty, which Alexis Mac Allister confidently converted.

Both sides will rue their missed chances throughout the second half, but the main talking point came eight minutes into added time as Mac Allister was caught by a high foot from City’s Jeremy Doku inside the box.

But neither the referee nor a VAR check had any concerns — a decision that left Liverpool coach Klopp outraged.

“This situation, in all positions on the pitch, is 100 per cent a foul. It’s 100 per cent a foul and a yellow card,” Klopp told Sky Sports.

“Because he [Doku] hit the ball, yes. But he could only hit the ball because his foot is right there [high up]. And yes, he hit the ball.

“But if the ball is not there, he kills him [Mac Allister]. That’s how it is, it’s as easy as that.

“It’s a penalty for all football people. It’s a penalty for football people — if you think it’s not one, then maybe you’re not a football fan.”

As a result, Arsenal now sit top of the league after they secured a 2-1 victory over Brentford the day before.

A Declan Rice header opened the scoring after 19 minutes, before Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale gifted Yoane Wissa an equaliser on the stroke of half time.

After pressing the Brentford goal for the majority of the second half, Arsenal finally broke through in the 86th minute as German forward Kai Havertz scored the winner.

Elsewhere in the battle for top-four positions, Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham put in a statement performance against rivals Aston Villa, winning 4-0 at Villa Park to bring the gap between the teams to just two points.

With FA Cup matches and an international break across the next two weekends, the title contenders won’t return to Premier League action until March 31 with Liverpool hosting Brighton & Hove Albion before Manchester City take on Arsenal.

City remain favourites for the title at +120 with Marantelli Bet, while Liverpool (+225) and Arsenal (+250) are close behind.

In the race for a top-four finish, Tottenham — with a game in hand — hold a slight edge at -163.93 compared to Aston Villa at +125 with top EPL bookmakers.

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