Premier League Matchweek 26: Arsenal’s Title Hopes Suffer Setback, Salah Continues to Shine
Football writer Ben Bloom analyzes an incredible weekend of Matchweek 26 action, highlighting key storylines such as a setback for Arsenal’s title hopes and more records broken by Mohamed Salah.
After defeats for Arsenal and Nottingham Forest, Liverpool triumphed at Manchester City to tighten their grip on top spot in the Premier League and extend their lead to 11 points. Newcastle United were the only other top-seven side to win, while Tottenham Hotspur’s resurgence continued with a third successive league victory.
At the bottom, Wolverhampton Wanderers’ win over AFC Bournemouth opened up a five-point gap to the relegation zone. Brentford head coach Thomas Frank confirmed his lofty aspirations to guide Brentford to European football this season after his team heaped yet more misery on Leicester City.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side became the first team in English top-flight history to lose six successive home matches without scoring. By contrast, this was a rampant Brentford’s fourth straight away win, leaving them six points off seventh place.
Salah and Szoboszlai Shine as Liverpool Extend Lead
The Liverpool juggernaut keeps on rolling, with another Salah-inspired performance seeing Arne Slot’s side capitalize on Arsenal’s defeat to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table and take another step towards winning the title.
Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai both scored one and assisted the other, as Liverpool overcame a lively but impotent City, who were without the injured Haaland. It was Liverpool’s first league win at the Etihad Stadium in nine attempts since Pep Guardiola took charge in 2016.
With 25 goals and 16 assists in the Premier League this campaign, Salah has six more of each than any other player. He is also the only player in Premier League history to be directly involved in 40+ goals in more than one season, having scored 32 and assisted 10 in 2017/18.
Liverpool came out on top despite enjoying just 34 per cent possession – their lowest in a Premier League victory on record. City remain fourth but are 20 points off the pace – the furthest from top they have been since July 2020, when they were 21 points behind Liverpool.
– Salah and Szoboszlai combined for a goal and an assist each
– Liverpool’s first league win at the Etihad Stadium since Guardiola took charge
– Salah’s incredible season continues, with 25 goals and 16 assists
– Liverpool won with just 34% possession – their lowest in a Premier League victory
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