Liverpool seized control of the Premier League title race Sunday, opening a commanding seven-point advantage after Arsenal’s stunning 2-1 home collapse against Fulham at the Emirates Stadium.
The Reds’ ruthless 4-1 demolition of Chelsea at Anfield, coupled with the Gunners’ inexplicable capitulation against Marco Silva’s well-drilled Cottagers, has blown the championship race wide open with 14 matches remaining.
Jurgen Klopp’s side now sits pretty on 51 points from 24 games. Arsenal? They’ve tumbled to fourth on 44 points, leapfrogged by both Manchester City (47) and Newcastle (45).
Emirates Fortress Falls
You had to see it to believe it. Arsenal entered Sunday having won 11 of their previous 12 home league fixtures — the kind of fortress mentality title winners need.
Then Rodrigo Muniz happened.
The 23-year-old Brazilian tormented Arsenal’s backline like he’d been doing it for years, not months. His 59th-minute opener came from clever movement in the box. His clinching strike eight minutes from time? Pure class under pressure.
William Saliba’s towering 70th-minute header briefly restored hope, but this Arsenal side — the same one that occupied top spot for seven straight weeks early in the campaign — had nothing left in the tank.
“We dominated the game but couldn’t score goals,” Arteta said afterward, his frustration barely contained. The numbers back him up: 16 shots to Fulham’s eight, but just four on target. It’s become a troubling pattern for the Gunners.
Anfield Machine Rolls On
While Arsenal imploded 200 miles south, Liverpool put on a clinic against Chelsea. Mohamed Salah’s brace — a 29th-minute penalty and a sublime 65th-minute curler — bookended a performance that showcased exactly why the Reds are title favorites.
Luis Diaz and Dominik Szoboszlai provided the other goals in what became a procession. Salah now sits level with Erling Haaland on 17 league goals, and the Egyptian looks hungrier than ever.
The defensive numbers tell their own story. Just 19 goals conceded in 24 outings — joint-best with City and the foundation of any title-winning campaign.
Virgil van Dijk marshaled that backline with the authority of a man who’s been here before. This is his kind of moment.
City Lurking in the Shadows
Don’t sleep on the defending champions. Pep Guardiola’s side quietly dismantled Brighton 3-1 at the Amex, with Kevin De Bruyne pulling the strings like only he can.
After falling behind to Pascal Gross, City responded with three unanswered goals through Phil Foden, Julian Alvarez, and Haaland. That’s four straight league wins now — the kind of momentum that’s won them five of the last six titles.
Here’s the kicker: they have two games in hand. Maximum points from those would cut Liverpool’s lead to just one point. Never count out Guardiola in a title race.
Newcastle’s Quiet Excellence
Eddie Howe’s side continues their relentless march toward Champions League football. Alexander Isak’s clinical double in the 2-0 win over Everton took the Swede’s tally to 15 league goals — elite company in any season.
The Magpies have lost just twice in 14 league outings, and both defeats came against title contenders. They’re built for the long haul.
The Drop Zone Drama
Sheffield United’s relegation looks a foregone conclusion after losing 3-1 to Luton. Sixteen points from 24 games tells its own story — they’re going down.
But the real battle is above them. Seven clubs separated by eight points in the survival scrap, with Burnley’s winless streak now at seven games following their 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace.
Liverpool faces Brentford at Anfield on Saturday — a potential banana skin against Thomas Frank’s organized outfit. Arsenal must regroup quickly for Thursday’s trip to struggling Wolves, where anything less than three points would feel like a dagger to their title hopes.
