Premier League Roundup: Arsenal Thrash Man City, Forest Rout Brighton

The Premier League title race intensified over the weekend, with Arsenal thrashing Manchester City 5-1 and Liverpool extending their lead. Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest boosted their top-four hopes with a 7-0 rout of Brighton.

Premier League Weekend Recap

The Premier League witnessed a thrilling weekend, with Arsenal's 5-1 thrashing of Manchester City being the standout result. This victory kept the Gunners in contention for the title, still within reach of leaders Liverpool. Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest took a significant step towards securing a Champions League spot for next season.

Liverpool's Title Charge Continues

Liverpool demonstrated their championship credentials by ending Bournemouth's impressive 12-game unbeaten run. Mohamed Salah's double on Saturday proved decisive, showcasing the Reds' attacking prowess. However, Arsenal's resounding win over Manchester City on Sunday ensured that the title race remains intriguing.

Relegation Battle Takes Shape

At the opposite end of the table, the relegation battle is becoming increasingly clearer. Everton and Tottenham Hotspur have managed to distance themselves from the drop zone, leaving the bottom four teams facing a daunting task to avoid relegation. The fight to stay in the Premier League is heating up, with several teams desperate to avoid the drop.

Arsenal's Youthful Exuberance Shines Through

Arsenal's convincing win over Manchester City was a day to remember, with academy graduates Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri stealing the show. The teenagers made history by becoming the youngest players to score in the Premier League against the reigning champions since Wayne Rooney's debut for Everton against Arsenal in 2003.

MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY!!!

The Arsenal left-back curls the home side into a 3-1 lead with his first Premier League goal! 🎯#ARSMCI

— Premier League (@premierleague) February 2, 2025

Lewis-Skelly's performance was particularly noteworthy, given that he would have missed the match had his red card against Wolves not been rescinded. The left-back made the most of his reprieve, delivering a barnstorming display capped by his first goal for the club. His celebration, which mimicked Erling Haaland's trademark meditation pose, showcased his confidence and personality.

Nwaneri's goal completed the rout and highlighted his growing importance to the team. With Bukayo Saka sidelined due to injury, Nwaneri has thrived on the extra playing time, scoring his seventh goal of the season. The contrast between Arsenal's vibrant youth and City's ageing squad was striking, with the latter's best days seemingly behind them.

The future looks bright for Arsenal, thanks to the emergence of Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri. While Liverpool's six-point lead may prove difficult to overcome, Mikel Arteta's men have plenty to be excited about. The potential of these two homegrown superstars is undeniable, and their development will be crucial to Arsenal's success in the years to come.

Forest's Resounding Victory

Nottingham Forest delivered a resounding response to doubts over their top-four credentials with a stunning 7-0 thrashing of Brighton on Saturday. Chris Wood stole the show with a hat-trick, while Morgan Gibbs-White and Anthony Elanga also impressed in a devastating display.

Forest's triumph was all the more impressive given their 5-0 defeat at Bournemouth just a week earlier. However, Nuno Espirito Santo's men bounced back in style, and their fine form was capped off by a favorable set of results for the chasing pack.

Arsenal's statement win closes the gap to Liverpool at the top to six points 📊 pic.twitter.com/f2Jjf91MW0

— Premier League (@premierleague) February 2, 2025

The losses suffered by Manchester City, Bournemouth, Newcastle, and Aston Villa allowed Forest to strengthen their grip on fourth place. Newcastle, in particular, slipped six points adrift of Forest after their 2-1 defeat to Fulham.

Forest's position looks increasingly secure, and even a top-five finish may be enough to secure Champions League qualification this season. The strong start made by English sides in European competitions has boosted Forest's chances of returning to the Champions League for the first time in over two decades.

Moyes' Magic Revives Everton

David Moyes has made a remarkable impact since returning to Everton last month, guiding the team to three consecutive victories, including a 4-0 thrashing of Leicester. This win has moved Everton nine points clear of the relegation zone and within three points of Manchester United in 13th place.

Moyes, who previously managed Everton for 11 years between 2002 and 2013, had anticipated a relegation battle upon his return. However, the team's recent form has exceeded expectations, and Moyes is thrilled with the progress. “The job is to make sure we are a Premier League team. The last three results will go a long way to making that happen,” he said.

The atmosphere at Goodison Park was electric, with Moyes praising the fans' incredible support. “I found the noise incredible. I remember what it was always like. You have to give them something to shout about, and we did that from the start,” he added. In contrast, Leicester's eighth defeat in nine matches has dropped them back into the bottom three, behind Wolves.

The relegation battle intensified further as Southampton, bottom of the table, secured their first win since November with a victory at Ipswich's Portman Road. This result dealt a significant blow to Ipswich's survival hopes, adding to the drama and uncertainty of the Premier League's relegation fight.