EPL: Liverpool back on top after Arsenal, Manchester City draw

The three-way Premier League title race has taken another twist, as a 0-0 draw between contenders Manchester City and Arsenal has left Liverpool two points clear at the top of the table.

In a tense encounter on Sunday, both Man City and Arsenal showed their defensive quality in one of the most important matches of the Premier League season so far.

Hoping to secure their first win at Etihad Stadium since 2015, the Gunners were strong defensively but failed to threaten forward, forcing City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega into just two comfortable saves.

Similarly, City — who held 72% possession — failed to trouble the Arsenal goal with just one shot on target for the match.

Arsenal defender William Saliba was awarded player-of-the-match honours but was disappointed with the result.

“We cannot be satisfied when we draw,” he said post-match.

“It’s OK — we did well and we leave with one point — but we are not satisfied.

“City are the best team in the world and playing against them is more tiring mentally.

“We had to focus for the whole game. We all defended well.”

• MORE: TOP SOCCER BETTING SITES FOR EPL ODDS

As a result of the draw, Liverpool now sit top of the Premier League table after securing a 2-1 comeback win over Brighton & Hove Albion earlier in the day.

A second-minute Danny Welbeck strike left the Reds trailing early, before winger Luis Diaz was able to poke home the equaliser at the 27-minute mark.

After pressing the Brighton goal for the majority of the match, Mohamed Salah was finally able to secure the breakthrough as he finished a brilliantly worked team goals in the 65th minute to secure the points.

Elsewhere in the Premier League, the battle for the final top-four spot continued between Aston Villa and Tottenham, with both sides securing victories over the weekend.

With a midweek fixture coming up, there is no time to rest for any of these sides.

Arsenal face Luton Town, while Liverpool host the last-placed Sheffield United.

Manchester City continue their tough run of fixtures as they host the fourth-placed Aston Villa, with Spurs heading across town to face West Ham United.

Liverpool are now outright EPL title favourites at +120 with Bovada, while City (+200) and Arsenal (+250) are close behind.

In the race for a top-four spot, Tottenham — with a game in hand — are slight favourites at -151.52 compared to rivals Aston Villa, who are paying +110 with top Premier League bookmakers.

Sports news