LONDON: Premier League leaders Arsenal dropped points for just the second time this season in a frustrating 1-1 draw at Southampton, while Newcastle climbed to fourth place after punishing Hugo Lloris’s mistakes in a 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Arsenal looked set to move four points clear at the top of the table when Granit Xhaka continued his fine form by smashing home the opening goal at St Mary’s after just 11 minutes.

Mikel Arteta’s side dominated the first half, but failed to add to their advan­tage with Gabriel Jesus guilty of missing big chances either side of the break.

Arsenal were punished when Stuart Armstrong produced a composed finish to level 25 minutes from time.

Callum Wilson put Newcastle ahead in the 31st minute as he chased Fabian Schar’s pass and collided with Tottenham goalkeeper Lloris.

Newcastle doubled their lead five minutes before half-time when Lloris’s poor attempted pass was headed down by Sean Longstaff to Miguel Almiron, who dribbled past Ryan Sessegnon and Clement Lenglet before firing home.

Harry Kane reduced the deficit six minutes into the second half when he headed in from Son Heung-min’s cross, but Tottenham couldn’t complete the comeback.

Earlier, Aston Villa responded to the sacking of Steven Gerrard with a 4-0 thumping of Brentford.

Leon Bailey fired Villa in front after just two minutes before the Jamaican teed up Danny Ings to make it 2-0.

Ings then added a third inside 14 minutes from the penalty spot before Ollie Watkins rounded off the scoring in the second half.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are not enjoying success under their caretaker boss Steve Davis as Leicester City moved out of the relegation zone with a 4-0 win at Molineux.

Youri Tielemans’ stunning strike that dipped into the top corner got the Foxes off to a flying start before Harvey Barnes’ cool finish doubled the lead for Brendan Rodgers’ men.

James Maddison and Jamie Vardy sealed Leicester’s first away win against a side still in the Premier League for a year in the second half.

Leeds United dropped into the bottom three after a 3-2 home defeat to Fulham.

Rodrigo gave under pressure Leeds manager Jessie Marsch the start he needed as he headed in at the far post.

But Aleksandar Mitrovic started the Fulham fightback. Bobby Decordova-Reid’s header put the Cottagers in front before Willian’s goal made it 3-1.Crys­encio Summerville’s goal in stoppage time was mere consolation for Leeds.

On Saturday, an injury-time equaliser from Casemiro earned Manchester United a point at Chelsea in the battle for fourth place.

The Brazilian’s headed ball was pushed on to the post by Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and it just crossed the line to make the score 1-1.

The two were haded for a goalless draw until an 87th-minute Jorginho penalty looked to have settled the match in Chelsea’s favour.

Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2022