Brighton vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction as Gunners extend lead at the top
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal take on Brighton with hopes of maintaining their lead at the top of the Premier League table
Premier League leaders Arsenal moved seven points clear at the top going into the new year after a glorious Gabriel Martinelli goal capped a thrilling 4-2 victory at Brighton.
Goals from Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Eddie Nketiah set the Gunners on course for a fifth consecutive top-flight success to cement their status as serious title contenders.
Kaoru Mitoma reduced Albion’s deficit 25 minutes from time before Martinelli, aided by a wonderful Odegaard assist, raced half the length of the pitch to stylishly restore the three-goal advantage.
Seagulls substitute Evan Ferguson increased the tension going into the final stages by claiming his first Premier League goal, while Mitoma thought he had set up a grandstand finish, only for his 89th-minute strike to be disallowed for offside.
Despite the unwanted anxiety of the late drama, the in-form visitors held on to celebrate an impressive victory and take a healthy advantage into 2023.
Follow all the reaction from Brighton vs Arsenal in the Premier League:
Wolves 0-0 Man Utd
57 mins: Casemiro finally gets booked but it was a necessary card for the Manchester United midfielder. Daniel Podence threatens to break through the lines and the Brazilian hack him down from behind.
Save! The resultant free kick is a long way out but Ruben Neves strikes it brilliantly and forces a leaping save out of David De Gea who has to tip the ball wide of the right-hand post!
Wolves 0-0 Man Utd
54 mins: Free kick to Man Utd! Bruno Fernandes and Joao Moutinho - teammates for Portugal - both try to win a 50/50 ball but Moutinho arrives late and clips the Man Utd midfielder.
The set piece is within shooting range but Fernandes gets it all wrong and hooks his shot high and wide!
Wolves 0-0 Man Utd
51 mins: There were a few worrying minutes of Wolves as Daniel Podence stayed down following a tackle. He was receiving treatment for about three minutes but looks okay to play on.
United have started the second half stronger though. Eriksen drives a cross into the penalty area and finds Martial who lays the ball to Fernandes allowing his captain to shoot.
Fernandes’ shot is blocked but Antony almost gets to the loose ball yet Sa beats him there and grabs hold of it.
Wolves 0-0 Man Utd
48 mins: Rashford gets involved straight away and carries the ball down the right side after Man Utd clear a Wolves set piece. He dribbles past two defenders before getting caught and losing possession.
Wolves work the ball quickly over to Traore on the opposite wing who goes on a brilliant run of his own but is let down by the final pass.
Second half: Wolves 0-0 Man Utd
Kick off: Erik ten Hag doesn’t waste any time in introducing Marcus Rashford to proceedings. He replaces Alejandro Garnacho at the break.
Julen Lopetegui also makes a change with Adama Traore coming on to replace Diego Costa for Wolves.
The home side get the match back underway.
Erik ten Hag hunting cut-price solution to Manchester United’s striker hole
Erik ten Hag has vowed to get creative in his bid to find Manchester United a striker for a cut-price fee in the January transfer window.
United’s funds are limited as they look for a replacement for the departed Cristiano Ronaldo after they spent over £200 million in the summer.
They missed out on PSV Eindhoven forward Cody Gakpo, a player Ten Hag liked, after Liverpool were able to meet the £35 million asking price for the Netherlands international, and United will consider loan signings in their attempt to bolster their attack.
Erik ten Hag hunting cut-price solution to Manchester United’s striker hole
United missed out on Cody Gakpo and are searching for a Cristiano Ronaldo replacement in the January transfer window
HT Wolves 0-0 Man Utd
There were some bright signs from both teams in that half but they head into the break on level terms. How long will it be before changes are made?
Will Erik ten Hag call for Marcus Rashford in the second half?
Half-time: Wolves 0-0 Man Utd
45+1 mins: Chance! Alejandro Garnacho is a blaze of feet and fury as he weaves and twists his way into the left side of the box before chipping the ball over to Anthony Martial.
Martial misses it but the ball bounces through to Antony who should score. He miscues his headed effort and softly turns the ball towards goal which allows Jose Sa enough time to get over ans smother it!
Massive moment right at the end of the first half.
Wolves 0-0 Man Utd
44 mins: There’s going to be one minute of added time to play in the first half. Both teams look happy to head into the break on level terms.
Wolves 0-0 Man Utd
41 mins: Wolves have impressed today. They don’t seem to fear Man Utd and have belief that they can cause a few problems. Nelson Semedo brings the ball down the right side before laying one off to Ruben Neves.
Neves lifts the ball into the box towards Diego Costa but he’s sandwiched in between Raphael Varane and Casemiro and the Red Devils coming away with the ball.
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