Liverpool recorded a comprehensive 2-0 victory over Leicester City at Anfield following a Diogo Jota double.
Whilst Arsenal travelled to the Molineux Stadium and, despite Martinelli receiving a red card, were able to see out a 1-0 win.
Chelsea and Brighton were due to face off this week but because of Chelsea’s involvement in the Club World Cup, this fixture was postponed.
Elsewhere in the midweek fixtures, Tottenham Hotspur endured a shock defeat, there was a six-goal thriller between Aston Villa and Leeds and a huge win for Newcastle against fellow strugglers Everton.
Check out this short video to hear more on this round of Premier League fixtures:
Liverpool vs Leicester City
Liverpool reduced the gap on Manchester City to nine points with their win against Leicester on Thursday night.
A Diogo Jota brace helped the Red’s to their third consecutive league victory. This was the Portuguese’s 30th goal in only 60 matches for Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp also handed new signing Luiz Diaz his first start for the club and the Colombian impressed on his full debut, winning eight duels and completing five take-ons.
Jurgen Klopp said: “He looked exactly like our type of player in training, so we thought we would give it a go. He was outstanding in the first half; he was involved in so many football moments.
“He watched us [in training] and we showed him a lot of situations. It looks natural. It is really quick I must say [Diaz’s transition to Liverpool]. Really, really good performance.” The Liverpool manager added.
As for Leicester, it was another disappointing display. For a team who have scored in every Premier League game they have played away from home this season, they didn’t look like they were going to test the Liverpool defence.
A corner which wasn’t dealt with by the Leicester defence was smashed home by Jota and in similar circumstances, Liverpool’s second goal came from Leicester being unable to clear the ball away.
Brendan Rodgers would’ve hoped for his side to bounce back from their embarrassing 4-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup, but with the Foxes having just one shot on target, they didn’t pose enough threat to get at Liverpool.
For Liverpool, this win moves them four points clear of third place Chelsea and nine points away from Manchester City with one game in hand on both sides. Up next for the Reds is Burnley at Turf Moor on Sunday.
On the other hand, this loss for Leicester means they remain in 12th, ten points off a spot in Europe. Rodgers’ side do have games in hand on the sides surrounding them and will face West Ham at home next.
Wolves vs Arsenal
Arsenal held on to a 1-0 win at the Molineux Stadium despite going down to ten men after 70 minutes.
Following a goal line scramble at a corner, centre back Gabriel Magalhães was there to poke the ball home in what turned out to be the winner for Arsenal.
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This, however, wasn’t the only drama on the night as Gabriel Martinelli received two yellow cards in the same passage of play and was subsequently sent off for Arsenal with 20 minutes of the game still to play.
Martinelli was awarded his first yellow card after he pushed and blocked Daniel Podence from taking a throw in. Seconds later, the Brazilian then shoved Chiquinho to the ground and referee Michael Oliver decided to award two yellow cards.
Following the game, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said: “I’ve never seen that. I’ve been 18 years in this country and I’ve never seen something like it.”
Wolves were able to create a few chances in the second half with Romain Saïss’ effort saved by Aaron Ramsdale. Rob Holding was also called into action as he made a goal line clearance later on in the match following a Chiquinho header.
Arsenal’s defence remained strong, recording their 11th clean sheet of the season, and they were able to see the game out.
This was the away side’s first win of 2022 and moved them into fifth spot, just one point behind fourth placed West Ham. The Gunners boast two games in hand over their London rivals and will be looking to march on from this win in their next game against Brentford.
As for Wolves, they stay in eighth and, like Arsenal, have games in hand on the teams around them. Bruno Lage’s side face Tottenham next at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.
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