Brighton vs Arsenal LIVE RESULT: Gunners and Seagulls share point as Joao Pedro levels after early Nwaneri goal
ARSENAL were held to a draw at Brighton as they failed to close the gap on Liverpool.
Teenager Ethan Nwaneri, 17, scored an early goal for the Gunners but Mikel Arteta's side struggled to create chances.
Brighton picked up yet another point - this was their sixth draw in eight matches - after Joao Pedro slotted home a penalty after a bizarre head collision with Gabriel.
Earlier, Chelsea suffered yet another slip up at Crystal Palace, while out-of-form Tottenham were beaten 2-1 by Newcastle, Manchester City thrashed West Ham and Brentford piled more misery on Southampton.
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Goal - Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
Brighton 0-0 Arsenal
13. It has been a game of very few chances so far.
Trossard is being booed whenever he touches the ball.
Arsenal look like they are lacking creativity in the final third with no Saka, Martinelli or Odegaard.
Brighton 0-0 Arsenal
11. It is ridiculous this rule of flagging so late.
We even had one instance when Ederson got injured in the resulting play between an offside incident and the flag going up.
Despite this Howard Webb looks to change nothing.
Credit: Reuters
Brighton 0-0 Arsenal
9. It has been a tight affair so far.
Jorginho threads it through to Jesus.
He is in behind the defence and only save by Verbruggen with his feet can deny him.
The assistant then raises his flag for offside.
Brighton 0-0 Arsenal
7. It is now seven games since Brighton last won a league match.
Hurzeler knows that has to change sooner rather than later.
To finish mid-table would be seen as a poor season for The Seagulls.
Brighton 0-0 Arsenal
5. Rice is playing more like a box to box midfielder in Odegaard's absence.
Once again Brighton win it back and break forward.
They are just lacking that final pass to make Raya work this evening.
Brighton 0-0 Arsenal
3. The Gunners are playing their usual style of patient build-up play.
However, when the hosts break with pace it seems to stretch Arteta's side.
The Seagulls seem to be playing more like themselves in these early stages, knowing they have dropped too many points during last month or so.
Brighton 0-0 Arsenal
1. We are underway at the Amex Stadium.
Both sides are missing key players this evening.
Brighton are without Dunk in defence while Arteta was not able to start Odegaard who had not recovered from their last game.
View from SunSport's Graeme Bryce at Villa Park
Leon Bailey rode to Villa's rescue as he ended his 19 game Premier League goal drought.
Leicester thought they had seized a point when Stephy Mavididi cancelled Ross Barkley's second half opener.
But Bailey dug deep after a difficult afternoon when the fans were often on his back, to repay Unai Emery's faith in him with his late minute winner.
View from SunSport's Andy Dillon at Selhurst Park
CHELSEA blew it again. Victory at Palace would have been the perfect start to 2025 however shaky.
But cracking so late on leaves them frustrated and looking over their shoulders at fifth placed Newcastle who have gained further ground on them in the hunt for a top four finish.
Carved open at the death and failing to finish off a match.
Palace deserved the point for keeping going. Big boost for boss Oliver Glasner.
Arsenal starting XI:
The massive news for The Gunners is that Odegaard starts on the bench for their visit to the Amex Stadium.
22. Raya, 5. Partey, 2. Saliba, 6. Partey, 33. Calafiori, 41. Rice, 20. Jorginho, 23. Merino, 53. Nwaneri, 9. Jesus, 19. Trossard
Credit: @Arsenal Brighton starting XI:
Fabian Hurzeler makes some changes for the visit of The Gunners this evening.
1. Verburggen, 34. Veltman, 29. van Hecke, 3. Igor Julio, 30. Estupinan, 20. Baleba, 26. Ayari, 8. Gruda, 33. O'Riley, 11. Adingra, 9. Joao Pedro
Credit: @OfficialBHAFC FT: Southampton 0-5 Brentford
Only a madman would bet on The Saints to stay up.
They look so far out of their depth there should be a lifeguard getting involved by now.
Morale boosting win for Brentford as they batter the hosts.
FT: Aston Villa 2-1 Leicester
This was by no means a classic but Aston Villa had just enough to edge out their neighbours.
Leicester were to blame for the winning goal but teams will continue to play out from the back even when they do not have the players to do so.
Unai Emery will only be focussed on the three points right now but performances will need to improve.
View from SunSport's Martin Blackburn at The Etihad
Not quite normal service resumed but at least this was more like it from the champions. Erling Haaland struck twice – to take his tally for the season to 21 - as City recorded back to back wins - which should at least start to restore their shattered confidence.
However what now for Guardiola’s former team-mate Julen Lopetegui? He has seen his team ship nine goals in two games either side of New Year and calls for his head are only likely to grow. Interesting that former Hammers boss David Moyes was in the stands.
FT: Man City 4-1 West Ham
When you are in a patch of bad form, there may not be a better side to play than West Ham.
Prior to falling behind, they were wasteful and saved Man City's blushes, by the end of the match it was a rout.
Lopetegui will not doubt find positives but most of this heavy defeat was their own doing.
View from SunSport's Graham Nickless at Vitality Stadium
David Brooks stunning volley against toothless Everton gave Bournemouth yet another Premier League record.
The Cherries now boast a club record 9-game unbeaten run in the top-flight after Brooks side-footed home his delicious 77th minute against the Toffees.
And the defeat heaped-more pressure on Everton’s under-fire gaffer Sean Dyche.
But the result was cruel on England’s number one goalkeeper Jordan Pickford who saved his team from a real bashing.
FT: Bournemouth 1-0 Everton
The Cherries make it eight games without defeat, a new record for them in the Premier League.
David Brooks' stunning strike was enough to take the points in this one.
Everton are in real danger of keeping one of the newly promoted sides up at this rate.
Southampton 0-5 Brentford
90+4. The Saints may break some records this season, all for the wrong reasons.
Trying to play out from the back, they give the ball away once again.
Wissa picks it out a curls one past Ramsdale into the back of the net.
Goal - Yoane Wissa (Brentford)
Southampton 0-4 Brentford
90+2. Mbuemo just makes this side tick.
He assists on this occasion as Lewis-Potter drills home to add the icing to the cake.
The Saints are looking like fodder in the top-flight now.
Goal - Keane Lewis-Potter (Brentford)
FT: Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea
That is now three games without a win for The Blues.
Mateta's late goal is enough to earn a point for The Eagles.
Chelsea are left to rue all those missed chances in the first-half.
Bournemouth 1-0 Everton
86. Everton have offered nothing in an attacking sense since going a goal down at Vitality Stadium.
They are already in a relegation dogfight and their inability to create chances or score goals should be a huge concern.
Getting relegated would not be the change The Toffees' fans were hoping for when their new owners took over.
Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea
82. You always felt Chelsea would pay for not putting this game to bed and they have been hit with the sucker-punch.
Eze does well spotting his teammate and unselfishly squaring it to the French striker.
He makes not mistake as he slots home to draw The Eagles level.