Arsenal will spend Christmas atop the Premier League after a 1-0 win at Everton on Saturday, reclaiming first place from Manchester City hours after their 3-0 dismantling of struggling West Ham United.
City’s win put them on 37 points, one more than the Gunners ahead of their late kick-off. However, that lead lasted for only a few hours as Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres scored from the penalty spot midway through the first half after a handball in the Everton box.
Arsenal couldn’t find the net in the second half as Everton defended well to keep the Gunners at bay.
However, the match finished 1-0 in favour of as Arsenal as the Gunners went two points ahead of Manchester City.
The win moves Arsenal to 39 points, while Everton slip to 10th in the table on 24 points. Arsenal’s Bukaya Saka said there had been no added pressure from City’s earlier victory.
“We take the emotions out. We focus on our job… we focus on coming here and winning. We did that today,” Saka said.
“We’re back on top of the table but we’re not watching City too much, or the other teams. We’re in control now. We know if we win every week we’ll stay there.”
Saturday’s Premier League results
Newcastle 2-2 Chelsea
Bournemouth 1-1 Burnley
Brighton 0-0 Sunderland
Manchester City 3-0 West Ham
Wolved 0-2 Brentford
Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Liverpool
Everton 0-1 Arsenal
Leeds 4-1 Crystal Palace.
