Aston Villa vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League result and reaction after late goals from Martinez and Martinelli
Aston Villa 2-4 Arsenal: Late goals complete Arsenal comeback as they move to the top of the Premier League
Arsenal twice battled back from behind as stoppage time goals from Emiliano Martinez and Gabriel Martinelli helped them to a hard-fought victory at Aston Villa to reignite into their Premier League title bid.
Martinez, a former Arsenal goalkeeper, could do nothing as Jorginho’s strike cannoned off the crossbar and struck the back of his head to settle a thrilling contest 4-2 in favour of the Gunners.
Ollie Watkins and Philippe Coutinho sent home side ahead on two occasions, only for Bukayo Saka and Oleksandr Zinchenko to equalise for Arsenal and keep them in the contest.
The Gunners’ winless run looked set to continue before Martinez inadvertently helped out his old side and substitute Martinelli tapped into an empty net after the goalkeeper went up for a late corner.
Relive the action as Arsenal defeat Aston Villa in the Premier League:
Liverpool fire themselves back into top-four race on nightmare evening for Newcastle
The celebration turned to consternation for Newcastle, the memories of their past to the worry about the immediate future, the tributes to one of their greatest servants preceding their worst day of the Premier League season. It would have been Sir Bobby Robson’s 90th birthday but it turned into an auspicious occasion for Jurgen Klopp.
A week that could have finished off their challenge for a top-four finish three months early instead sees their hopes resurrected and them rejuvenated. A side who had lost their last three away league games in hapless fashion instead backed up a Merseyside derby victory by ending the longest unbeaten run in any of the top five European divisions. Klopp has Virgil van Dijk fit again, his forwards scoring again and, perhaps, a glimpse of the kind of momentum that has carried them a long way on plenty of previous times.
But for Newcastle, a season’s fine work threatened to be undone in a disastrous 12 minutes. It was doubly damaging, their hopes of a first major trophy since 1969 dented when Nick Pope was dismissed. One of the stars and the signings of the season will miss the Carabao Cup final as the punishment will prove bigger than the crime. Pope had not had to retrieve the ball from the back of his net twice in a game since visiting Anfield in August: he did in his 22-minute cameo as Liverpool became the first top-flight side to overcome Newcastle since they did, the best part of six months and 18 games ago. Yet while that relied on a 98th-minute winner, this was decided in an explosive first quarter. Taking six points from Newcastle means the gap between them is down to six and, in the final reckoning, it could prove crucial.
Liverpool fire back into top-four race on nightmare evening for Newcastle
Newcastle United 0-2 Liverpool: Goals by Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo came before Nick Pope’s disastrous red card which has far-reaching consequences
FT Newcastle 0-2 Liverpool
Reaction from Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk who told Sky Sports: “Let’s hope [it’s a significant result]. We’ve had results in the season where we have felt like this is the time to kick on. But this feels a little bit different. Coming away from the big win against Everton, it was important to keep going and find a way to win.
“The red card changed the game a little bit. We could have done better, but there is a reason why we are the only team to win here. I am very proud of the boys, now we must recover in time for Real Madrid in the next game.
“We have had a difficult season, but to come and win here, I’m really proud.
“It feels very good [to be back from injury.] Being healthy is the most important thing in the world. It was a tough six weeks but I’m back, hopefully I will do everything in my power to recover and be ready for the Champions League game, it is very massive for us.
“It’s a lot of hard work behind the scenes but I’m happy to be contributing to the team.
“I think this whole season has proven any team can beat any team. We want to find consistency with what we have been doing the last five years. We want to be building consistency as a club.
“Today and in the last game against Everton we showed that. This is a good step and we’ll take it. On to the next one.”
FT Newcastle 0-2 Liverpool
Newcastle have only lost two Premier League games all season, both against Liverpool.
The Magpies haven’t beaten the Reds in a Premier League game since December 2015.
FT Newcastle 0-2 Liverpool
What are the ramifications of Nick Pope’s red card?
Newcastle face Manchester United at Wembley next Sunday in the Carabao Cup final, looking for their first trophy since 1969.
Goalkeeper Nick Pope is now suspended after his red card today and Martin Dubravka, his back-up, is cup-tied. That means Loris Karius, who hasn’t played a first-team game of football for two years, is set to make his Newcastle debut.
In other news, Bruno Guimaraes will be back from the suspension that has just finished now and will play. Newcastle haven’t won a game without him all season.
FT Newcastle 0-2 Liverpool
Liverpool are now only six points behind Newcastle in the battle for that fourth Champions League spot.
Tottenham, who play West Ham tomorrow, Fulham, Brighton and Brentford are the other teams in contention at this stage.
FT Newcastle 0-2 Liverpool
Liverpool have now won their last two league matches and are moving up the table. They’re now eighth.
Full-time: Newcastle 0-2 Liverpool
90+3 mins: That’s a massive three points for Liverpool who find themselves back in contention to finish in the top four. They’re now six points behind fourth placed Newcastle and have a game in hand on Eddie Howe’s men.
Liverpool’s two goals were well worked and gave them a cushion in the game but Nick Pope’s red card was the turning point and although spirited Newcastle couldn’t launch a comeback.
Newcastle 0-2 Liverpool
90 mins: There’s going to be three minutes of added time to play.
Newcastle 0-2 Liverpool
87 mins: A short Liverpool corner comes to Harvey Elliott who floats a cross into the middle. The ball is nodded back towards Roberto Firmino who can’t quite reach it.
Newcastle 0-2 Liverpool
84 mins: Save! Newcastle should be on the scoresheet! They break up the pitch with Anthony Gordon in possession. He carries the ball to the front edge of the box and slides the ball over to Callum Wilson whose shot is closed down and blocked by Alisson.
Great save from Liverpool’s goalkeeper.
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