LONDON: Arsenal go into the international break fifth in the Premier League after Emile Smith-Rowe clinched a 1-0 victory over Watford on Sunday while Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte endured a frustrating start to his league return with a scrappy 0-0 draw at Everton.

Having opened the season with three losses, Mikel Arteta’s side is now on a 10-game unbeaten run with 20 points from 11 games, provisionally behind fourth-placed West Ham United on goal difference.

Benjamin White rode a number of challenges before being tackled, with the ball breaking into the path of Smith Rowe to net in the 56th minute after an inspired performance from Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster had frustrated the hosts, with Juraj Kucka dismissed late on at the Emirates Stadium.

Claudio Ranieri’s Watford remain two points and a place above the relegation zone.

Conte, who won the 2017 title with Chelsea, witnessed his new side come off second best to opponents beset by injuries and low on morale after not winning in their previous four matches.

A game short on clear-cut chances at Goodison Park could easily have ended in Tottenham’s sixth defeat in eight league games but for a controversial intervention from VAR to overturn the decision to award Everton a second-half penalty.

Giovani lo Celso nearly snatched all three points for Spurs when his shot hit the post late on before Everton had to see out stoppage time a man down following Mason Holgate’s straight red card.

Tottenham are ninth with 16 points from 11 games with Everton, who ended a run of three successive league defeats, a point worse off.

At Elland Road, Leeds United winger Raphinha’s superb free kick was cancelled out by Leicester City forward Harvey Barnes in an entertaining 1-1 draw.

The result left Leicester 12th on 15 points from 11 games, with Leeds up to 15th on 11 points.

MANEGERIAL MOVES

The sackings of Norwich City boss Daniel Farke and Aston Villa manager Dean Smith over the weekend took the total in the English top-flight to five already this season.

Norwich fired Daniel Farke as manager despite finally winning their first game of the season on Saturday. Mathias Normann’s solo effort and Teemu Pukki’s penalty clinched a 2-1 win at Brentford in a meeting of promoted clubs.

But while Brentford are in 14th place, Norwich are seven points behind in the 20th and last place.

Only a superior goal difference is keeping Newcastle United, who are understood to have agreed a deal in principle with former Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe to take over at St James’ Park, off the bottom of the standings after drawing 1-1 at Brighton & Hove Albion.

Chelsea lead the standings with 26 points, three ahead of Manchester City after they were surprisingly held 1-1 at home by Burnley.

Kai Havertz headed Chelsea in front from a Reece James cross but 18th-placed Burnley levelled late on through Matej Vydra.

Crystal Palace are up to ninth after Wilfried Zaha and Conor Gallagher scored in a 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2021