So that’s it for tonight (or this morning or afternoon wherever you are).
We have two more premier league matches tomorrow. So maybe pop back and see how that works out for Fulham v Brighton and Bournemouth v Spurs.
Until then have a good one and thanks for joining us.
Well that was some night
Snap analysis:
I reckon Liverpool know they let one get away. Winning in the last few minutes they allowed Newcastle back in. At the same time the Magpie’s will also feel they should have got three points having led twice.
Arsenal will be delighted. Cut Liverpool’s league lead to seven points and smothered Man United with another two set piece goals. United? Well it’s early days for Amorim – the first half was solid but it was chaos at those corners.
Chelsea likewise are just seven behind the leaders (ahead of the Gunners on goal diff) and they racked up another five goals in an impressive win. They are turning into something. Southampton’s woes continue.
Man City in win shock! It was pretty easy for Pep this time although Forest did put up a fight.
In other struggling side news Everton will be happy with the four goals from what I saw – two of them own goals. Wolves? A bad night.
And lastly Aston Villa win for the first time since October 22. Incredible but true. Brentford fought back in the second half but it wasn’t enough.
The results and stats
Arsenal 2 (Timber 54, Saliba 73) Man Utd 0
Att: 60,256
Aston Villa 3 (Rogers 21, Watkins 28(pen), Cash 34) Brentford 1 (Damsgaard 54)
Everton 4 (Young 10, Mangala 33, Dawson 49(og) 72(og) Wolves 0
Att: 38,820
Man City 3 (Silva 8, De Bruyne 31, Doku 57) Nottm Forest 0
Newcastle 3 (Isak 35, Gordon 62, Schar 90) Liverpool 3 (Jones 50, Salah 68 83)
Att: 52,237
Southampton 1 (Aribo 11) Chelsea 5 (Disasi 7, Nkunku 17, Madueke 34, Palmer 77, Sancho 87)
Att: 31,193
Final score: Aston Villa 3 Brentford 1
Final score at the Emirates: Arsenal 2 Manchester United 0
Ruben Amorim knows he has a long way to go to pick up this United team. He shakes Arteta’s hand. The Arsenal manager will be pleased with that win.
Nearly the end
Four minutes extra time at the Emirates.
And 89 minutes gone at Villa Park.
Arsenal go close again. This time its Trossard scampering down the left, cutting in and cracking off a shot that goes behind for a corner – ANOTHER corner.
No goal from that set piece and the ball ends up back in the Arsenal half.
Manchester United have a free kick in a dangerous position just outside Arsenal’s box. A well created move puts Antony in but he hits into Raya’s hands, the goalkeeper batting the ball away.
No
Saka puts in an uncharacteristically sloppy ball and it’s easily headed away. Still 2-0 to the Gunners.
Updated
Another corner for Arsenal – do they score?
Back at Villa Park – 77 minutes gone and still Villa lead Brentford 3-1. The Bees had got back into this. But they seem to be slowing a bit.
Sorry to concentrate so much on the Arsenal game – but it’s a bit crazy. Every time Arsenal get a corner they score/nearly score. There is another one – this time Merino has an open header and puts it just wide.
I reckon it was his bum.
Goal!
Arsenal 2 (William Saliba 73) Man Utd 0
Another set piece goal for Arsenal. How do they do it?
This time its Saliba. He scores with his bum or back I think.
VAR checks – it’s fine.
Back at The Emirates Arteta makes two substitutions.
Martinelli and Zinchenko are off and Merino and Trossard are on. Let’s see how this changes things. Or not.
A bit quieter
Ok, that’s four matches down – two still on.
64 minutes gone and Arsenal remain 1-0 up against Man Utd.
Villa still leading 3-1 at home against Brentford. But Brentford looking more dangerous.
Final score: Southampton 1 Chelsea 5
Sorry, that was five minutes ago but there was only one winner tonight after the red card for Southampton.
Goal!
Aston Villa 3 Brentford 1 (Mikkel Damsgaard 54)
One back for the Bees.
Final score: Everton 4 Wolverhampton 0
Easy night for Sean Dyche’s side. Not a great night for Wolves’ Craig Dawson. Two own goals.
Final score: Newcastle 3 Liverpool 3
What a game – another cracker between these two teams. Liverpool will be kicking themselves. They should have held out for the win. But then again – they came from behind. Twice.
Great play by Newcastle.
Goal!
Arsenal 1 (Jurrien Timber 54) Man Utd 0
Final score: Man City 3 Nottm Forest 0
That’s it at the Etihad. Man City back to winning ways. After seven games
Liverpool’s Kelleher makes a rare and crucial mistake. He allows a fee kick to float over him only for Schar to slide in and score from an impossibly tight angle.
What a game!
Updated
Goal!
Newcastle 3 (Fabian Schar 90) Liverpool 3
Goal!
Southampton 1 Chelsea 5 (Jadon Sancho 87)
It’s about to start again at the Emirates and at Villa Park.
Ian in the Arsenal crowd says: “Mufc have packed the midfield and have slowed the game right down. We have just not achieved any fluidity or pace. Only Arsenal chances have come from corners.”
Goal!
Newcastle 2 Liverpool 3 (Mohamed Salah 83)
Salah hits the post with a cracker from the right – then in another Liverpool move Alexander-Arnold passes it into him inside the box and he whips it past Pope with his right foot.
Goal!
Southampton 1 Chelsea 4 (Cole Palmer 77)
Goal!
Everton 4 (Craig Dawson Og 72) Wolves 0
I thought it had all gone quiet at Goodison Park. Just the small matter of three goals.
But then it was four.
Two own goals for Craig Dawson. He’s on a hatrick …
Half time in the 8.15pm kick offs
Arsenal 0 Manchester Utd 0
Aston Villa 3 Brentford 0
At the Etihad De Bruyne is off, substituted after a great effort – and a goal.
Back at the Emirates
45 minutes have passed. One of extra time to go. It’s still Arsenal 0 Manchester Utd 0.
Goal!
Newcastle 2 Liverpool 2 (Mohamed Salah 68)
Slot’s change pays off. Trent Alexander-Arnold crosses for Salah to equalise.
Goal/No Goal at St James’
Isak looked like he was clean through and slotted it into the bottom right corner. But he was offside. It’s still 2-1 to Newcastle.
Meanwhile – Arne Slot makes wholesale changes – changing three including removing Gomes at the back.
City are 3-0 up against Forest and look comfortable. But then again remember Feyenoord?
Forest replace Chris Wood.
Goal!
Newcastle Utd 2 (Anthony Gordon 62) Liverpool 1
Goal!
Aston Villa 3 (Matty Cash 34) Brentford 0
Villa again! It’s only 34 minutes in and they are cruising.
Goal!
Man City 3 (Jeremy Doku 57) Nottm Forest 0
Doku down the left, dinks inside and sends a great shot into the net. Pep celebrates on the side. Maybe he’ll need the six fingers for the score today?
Goal!
Everton 3 (Craig Dawson Og 49) Wolves 0
Madness at St James’ – Gakpo heads a ball across goal and Nunez misses with a lunge by a whisker.
Goal!
Aston Villa 2 (Ollie Watkins Pen 28) Brentford 0
Watkins slots it low to the right.
Penalty at Villa!
Goal!
Newcastle 1 Liverpool 1 (Curtis Jones 50)
Curtis Jones cracker!
Salah scoots down the right hand side and cuts the ball into the path of an onrushing Jones who slots it into the top right hand corner. Great move
Goal!
Aston Villa 1 (Morgan Rogers 21) Brentford 0
Back at the Etihad – they’re off again. Man City are 2-0 up against Forest and in the driving seat.
No updates from Ian in the crowd at the Emirates – I think his signal’s gone.
From what I can see United – playing in a royal blue away strip – are holding their own. New manager Ruben Amorim is sipping water on the sidelines. Looks calm/comfortable so far.
Updated
Half time (at some matches)
Manchester City 2 Nottingham Forest 0
Newcastle United 1 Liverpool 0
Everton 2 Wolves 0
Southampton 1 Chelsea 3
I think those are all right. So much going on.
Close!
Arsenal set piece move – a corner whipped in and Thomas Partey misses a golden chance at the near post. Super close!
Analysis: TV folk think it was easier to score than miss. Which probably tells you it was a sitter.
Updated
Seven minutes gone at the Emirates – it’s Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0.
Also 0-0 in the clash between Villa and Brentford.
Updated
A period of some calm has descended.
Updated
The 8.15 matches are about to start – Arsenal v Man Utd at the Emirates and Villa vs Brentford at Villa Park
At Southampton it looks like a sending off. Referee goes to the pitchside screen and after a check the Saints’ Jack Stephens is off. Didn’t see what that was about but will report back.
Newsflash: it was for violent conduct.
More newsflash: It was pulling Cucurella’s hair!
Updated
Meanwhile Aston Villa v Brentford team news:
Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Kamara, Tielemans, Bailey, Rogers, McGinn, Watkins
Subs: Olsen, Diego Carlos, Barkley, Duran, Buendia, Torres, Philogene-Bidace,
Maatsen, Bogarde
Brentford: Flekken, van den Berg, Collins, Pinnock, Lewis-Potter, Yarmolyuk, Janelt, Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Schade, Wissa.
Subs: Valdimarsson, Thiago, Carvalho, Mee, Meghoma, Konak, Trevitt, Roerslev, Maghoma
Referee: Lewis Smith
Ok, I’ve copy and pasted Goal! and will just post it every minute…
Goal!
Everton 2 (Orel Mangala 33) Wolverhampton 0
Goal!
Southampton 1 Chelsea 3 (Noni Madueke 34)
Updated
At St James’ there were nerves as VAR checks the goal. It’s all right and Isak is back on form.
Goal!
Newcastle 1 (Alexander Isak 35) Liverpool 0
Goal!
Man City 2 (Kevin De Bruyne 31) Nottm Forest 0
He’s back from injury and whacks it into the top right hand corner.
Newcastle 0 Liverpool 0
It is all action at St James’. Salah nearly latches onto a pass from Quansah who had gone on a bit of a run. Close after 27 minutes.
Updated
Calming down. There has been a break in the goalfest. A bit of a drought now … must be at least 5 minute since one was slotted in.
No goal at Goodison!
Everton score again – or do they. It’s being checked.
TV folk think it’s no goal.
And it has been ruled out. Still 1-0.
Nearly 18 minutes gone at the Etihad and Forest go close forcing a good save from Ortega at his right hand post. It’s heating up nicely and Forest are playing their part.
Goal!
Southampton 1 Chelsea 2 (Christopher Nkunku 17)
Updated
Back at St James’ Park it’s still 0-0 after 15 minutes although Liverpool are pressing hard forcing a save out of Pope before then hitting the post with a Mac Allister shot from outside the area.
Goal!
It’s raining goals!
Everton 1 (Ashley Young 10) Wolverhampton 0
I only have two hands. I need Pep’s fingers as well.
Goal!
Southampton 1 (Joe Aribo 11) Chelsea 1
Updated
Goal!
Manchester City 1 Nottingham Forest 0
De Bruyne heads across the Forest goal – and Silva tucks the ball in from a couple of metres. A strong start for Forest snuffed out.
Goal!
Southampton 0 Chelsea 1
Southampton let one in. Axel Disasi on the mark.
Updated
Six minutes in and Newcastle having the best of the ball. They win a free kick but that floats into Kelleher’s arms.
Newcastle go close!
One minute in and Tomali forces a save out of Kelleher. Corner to Newcastle but that comes to nothing. Good start for NFC.
7.30pm: KICK OFF
Four matches under way!
My person-in-the-crowd at the Emirates (that’s you Ian) isn’t overly happy with the Arsenal line up:
“Relatively weak defence for Arsenal so I think we will concede. Just hope that our attacking players score more than we let in!”.
Updated
Arsenal v Man Utd team news
That’s one of the 8.15 kick offs.
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Odegaard, Partey, Rice, Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Subs: Tierney, Gabriel Jesus, Trossard, Jorginho, Merino, Sterling, Nwaneri,
Heaven, Neto
Man Utd: Onana, Mazraoui, de Ligt, Maguire, Dalot, Ugarte, Fernandes, Malacia, Mount, Garnacho, Hojlund
Subs: Bayindir, Rashford, Zirkzee, Eriksen, Yoro, Diallo, Casemiro, Antony,
Kukonki
Referee: Sam Barrott
Top tip: Arsenal are celebrating 500 games tonight at Ashburton Grove the Emirates. The club moved out of Highbury in 2006 to their new home built on the old rubbish/recycling tip. Used to go there myself back in the day.
500 games at Emirates Stadium 🏟️
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 4, 2024
Tonight's match-up with Manchester United represents a significant milestone at our home 👇
BTW - Theo Walcott played 212 of those games - the most of any player
Foden out with bronchitis
Pep Guardiola confirms Phil Foden won’t play but he welcomes back De Bruyne.
Asked about the the significance of the Belgian’s starting return PG says: “He’s important. It’s a long time that he does not play. It’s important for us.”
He says De Bruyne will take it “step by step”.
Updated
Southampton v Chelsea
Southampton: Lumley, Walker-Peters, Bree, Wood-Gordon, Stephens, Manning, Armstrong, Aribo, Fernandes, Fraser, Archer
Subs: McCarthy, Edwards, Sugawara, Brereton, Sulemana, Taylor, Cornet, Amo-Ameyaw, O’Brien-Whitmarsh
Chelsea: Jorgensen, Gusto, Disasi, Adarabioyo, Cucurella, Fernandez, Caicedo, Madueke, Palmer, Joao Felix, Nkunku
Subs: Badiashile, Colwill, Pedro Neto, Jackson, Sancho, Dewsbury-Hall, Veiga, Lavia, Sanchez
Referee: Tony Harrington
Everton v Wolves team news:
Everton: Pickford, Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Gueye, Mangala, McNeil, Doucoure, Ndiaye, Calvert-Lewin
Subs: Virginia, Patterson, Harrison, Beto, O’Brien, Broja, Coleman,
Armstrong, Lindstrom
Wolves: Jose Sa, Doherty, Bueno, Dawson, Ait Nouri, Andre Trindade, Lemina, Joao Gomes, Cunha, Larsen, Goncalo Guedes
Subs: Bentley, Johnstone, Hwang, Rodrigo Gomes, Doyle, Toti Gomes, Forbs, Bellegarde, Pedro Lima
Referee: Michael Salisbury
Updated
Newcastle v Liverpool team news:
Newcastle: Pope, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Jacob Murphy, Isak, Gordon
Subs: Dubravka, Wilson, Barnes, Targett, Osula, Almiron, Kelly, Willock, Longstaff
Liverpool: Kelleher, Gomez, Quansah, van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Salah, Jones, Gakpo, Nunez
Subs: Endo, Diaz, Szoboszlai, Elliott, Alexander-Arnold, Morton, Nyoni, Jaros, Nallo
Referee: Andrew Madley
Farewell John Docherty
While Brentford take on Aston Villa the Bees are also mourning the passing of John Docherty - former manager and player who died today aged 84. Docherty also managed Millwall, taking them into the old Division 1.
All at Brentford are deeply saddened by the passing of John Docherty, aged 84.
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) December 4, 2024
John had a four-decade association with the club as player, manager, and coach.
He won promotion as a player in 1971/72, and was inducted into our Hall of Fame last month.
Rest in peace, Doc. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/Gp4Bu15nZZ
Updated
Last game of the evening to mention sees Aston Villa take on Brentford in the late(r) kick off. We’ll be monitoring that one as well.
Villa haven’t won a football match since October. They’re also hoping global eyeballs will spur them on.
Where will you be watching tonight's game from, Villans? 🌏 pic.twitter.com/sI7FzQwgJl
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 4, 2024
An interesting fact delivered by scrolling – even if it is three days old
Manchester City and Nottingham Forest team news:
Kevin de Bruyne starts.
Man City: Ortega, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol, Silva, Gundogan,
De Bruyne, Doku, Haaland, Grealish
Subs: Ederson, Carson, Walker, Savio, Matheus Luiz, Wright, O’Reilly, Lewis, McAtee
Forest: Sels, Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Alex, Yates, Dominguez, Elanga, Gibbs-White, Jota Silva, Wood
Subs: Carlos Miguel, Morato, Williams, Anderson, Awoniyi, Hudson-Odoi,
Moreira, Ward-Prowse, Sosa
Referee: Michael Oliver
Back on the blue side of Liverpool, Everton take on Wolves. Both are in the lower reaches of the table.
Sean Dyche knows he is under pressure to improve his team’s performances.
“Me, my staff and the players, sometimes we haven’t done it as well as we could do, but we work tirelessly, I can assure you. This is the most work I’ve done in all my years of management at this football club, without a shadow of a doubt.”
Meanwhile Wolves are welcoming a global audience – are you watching Greater Fort Lauderdale?
Under the lights at Goodison Park.
— Wolves (@Wolves) December 4, 2024
🌎 @visitlauderdale pic.twitter.com/yw6eoM4lsb
Updated
Over to bottom-of-the-table Southampton who are up against a Chelsea team who have sparkled of late and now sit in third.
Blues’ boss Enzo Maresca is not taking anything for granted.
“The moment we lose games, there will be doubts – I know how it works”.
“It’s difficult to continue the whole season in the way we are now. For sure, a different moment will come and we need to manage that and deal with that.”
Updated
Over to the Emirates and Arsenal against Man Utd
Ruben Amorim brings his side to North London after a 4-0 thwacking of Everton. And Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta is wary.
“You can see his fingerprints in what he wants to do straight away,” said Arteta. “He’s been very clear with what he wants to do. What he did with Sporting was remarkable after so many years. Especially the way he did it and the way his teams are playing. It brings energy to a new club and the players which is always positive. But we have to focus on what we’re doing.”
Meanwhile Amorim is showering praise on Arteta.
“Sometimes coaches are just judged about the titles, but what he has been doing in Arsenal is amazing.
“It transformed the team. He bought some youngsters that now are the big talents in this country. I hope to have the same mindset that he had in the difficult moments because I followed the Premier League for a long time.”
Updated
Pep G and Man City host Nottingham Forest
There is pressure on the City manager. If his team don’t emerge victorious tonight then Pep will have gone eight games without a win. That’s eight fingers!
BTW – he’s been talking about his six-fingered gesture to Liverpool fans at Anfield after that 2-0 defeat last weekend.
“It [Guardiola’s gesture] was just to make our fans feel that what we have done is extraordinary,” he says. “I want to prove that we are an incredible football club. Sooner or later it’s going to be the end [of City’s success], but I will try to extend as much as possible for the best of my club.”
You can read more here:
And here’s a pic of Pep not scratching his head
Newcastle take on leaders Liverpool
Still a while to go before it all kicks off but worth casting your eye over a few interviews making the news.
Louise Taylor has an interesting take on the issues at St James Park – with Eddie Howe opening up about the problems at the club.
Howe: “We have had a lot of issues this summer and we continue to have them.
“We’re not quite at our best. I’ve had several meetings with all the players to try and get them at their best levels to solve little issues we may have.”
“Without talking about individuals you need your best players at their best levels,” Howe said, rather pointedly.
Is he pointing to underwhelming performances from Bruno Guimarães, Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon?
“The squad we have is a very good squad,” Howe said. “It’s our job to do better with it. I’m confident in the players and I’m confident in our methods of work. I’ve got no doubts we’ll re-find our touch.” Maybe tonight?
Read more here:
Meanwhile Liverpool are pumped up
So this is what we are looking at tonight:
Arsenal v. Man Utd (KO 8.15)
Aston Villa v. Brentford (KO 8.15)
Everton v. Wolverhampton (KO 7.30)
Man City v. Nottm Forest (KO 7.30)
Newcastle v. Liverpool (KO 7.30)
Southampton v. Chelsea (KO 7.30)
And here is the table as it stands
Hello, good evening, afternoon or morning depending where in the world you may be reading this.
Joyous news – we’ve got six premier league matches tonight. Six!
So many plots and subplots. It’s like one of those Christopher Nolan films – but all about football.
Questions I’m asking are: will Pep Guardiola have enough fingers (and toes) to count his team’s defeats by Xmas? Will Eddie Howe stop a soaring Liverpool and can Manchester United’s resurgency scupper Arsenal at the Emirates? Lots of questions.
