LONDON - Arsenal kept their Premier League title destiny firmly in their own hands after grinding out a tense 2-1 London derby win over Chelsea, once again relying on their deadly efficiency from set-pieces.
A second-half header from Jurrien Timber restored Arsenal’s five-point advantage at the summit after reigning champions Manchester City had applied pressure with victory over Leeds United a day earlier. The Gunners now sit on 64 points from 29 matches, while City trail on 59 with a game in hand. “This is the beauty and the level of this league,” said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. “You feel you have to win and win again, and still it is not enough to create distance.”
Arsenal’s breakthrough came via another well-worked corner. Bukayo Saka’s deep delivery was headed across goal by Gabriel, with William Saliba’s effort deflecting in off Chelsea defender Mamadou Sarr. The visitors responded in first-half stoppage time when Reece James’ teasing corner glanced off Piero Hincapie for an equaliser.
With nerves fraying after the interval, Declan Rice’s precise corner found Timber, whose powerful header sealed Arsenal’s 16th league goal from a corner this season — matching a Premier League record for a single campaign. Chelsea’s hopes faded further when Pedro Neto was sent off after two quick yellow cards, marking the club’s seventh red card of the season. “We need to ensure we keep 11 men on the pitch,” said manager Liam Rosenior after his side’s first league defeat in seven games left them sixth on 45 points.
At Old Trafford, Manchester United climbed into the top three for the first time since May 2023 with a spirited 2-1 comeback win over Crystal Palace. Palace struck inside four minutes through Maxence Lacroix, the earliest goal United have conceded this season. Captain Bruno Fernandes levelled from the penalty spot after Lacroix was sent off for fouling Matheus Cunha, before setting up Benjamin Sesko’s decisive 65th-minute header. United are now unbeaten in seven games under interim boss Michael Carrick and have 51 points, edging ahead of Aston Villa on goal difference.
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur slumped to a 2-1 defeat at Fulham, extending their winless run to 10 league matches and deepening relegation fears. Spurs sit 16th, just four points above West Ham United, with manager Igor Tudor admitting: “There are big problems here.”