Arsenal Extend Lead as City, United Slip
Last update: March 5, 2026
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Arsenal move seven points clear after a 1–0 win over Brighton...
The Premier League title race tightened on Wednesday night after Manchester City and Manchester United both dropped points, while Arsenal and Chelsea secured crucial victories.
At the Etihad Stadium, Nottingham Forest fought back from two goals down to earn a dramatic 2–2 draw against City.
Antoine Semenyo put the champions ahead in the 31st minute with a composed finish, and Rodri doubled the advantage early in the second half to leave Pep Guardiola’s side in control.
However, Forest responded strongly as Morgan Gibbs-White pulled one back midway through the half before Elliot Anderson struck late to rescue a point for the visitors.
CBI News reports that the draw dented City’s pursuit of the league leaders, Arsenal, who had already claimed a narrow away victory over Brighton & Hove Albion.
At the Amex Stadium, Bukayo Saka netted the decisive goal in a 1–0 win.
The winger struck in the ninth minute, firing from the edge of the box with the ball slipping through the goalkeeper’s legs after a deflection.
Mikel Arteta’s men held firm defensively to preserve their advantage.
Saka marked his 300th first-team appearance with the winner and now boasts 148 goal involvements for the club.
The result moved Arsenal seven points clear of second-placed Manchester City, who still have a game in hand.
Elsewhere, Newcastle United handed Manchester United a 2–1 defeat at St James’ Park.
Anthony Gordon gave Newcastle the lead from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time, but Casemiro quickly equalised with a powerful header from a set-piece.
Despite being reduced to ten men before the interval following Jacob Ramsey’s red card, Newcastle found a late winner as William Osula struck in the 90th minute.
The loss ended interim manager Michael Carrick’s unbeaten run in charge of United.
Meanwhile, Chelsea strengthened their push for a top-four finish with an emphatic victory over Aston Villa, inspired by a hat-trick from Joao Pedro.
Villa had taken an early lead through Douglas Luiz, but Pedro levelled from close range before delicately lifting the ball over Emiliano Martinez to put Chelsea ahead before half-time.
He completed his treble in the second half, tapping in Alejandro Garnacho’s cross after Cole Palmer had already added a third.
The win lifted Chelsea into fifth place, cutting the gap to Villa to three points as the race for UEFA Champions League qualification intensifies.
