Arsenal get title boost as Man City and Villa both drop points

LONDON, Jan 7 : Arsenal's ‌Premier League title prospects were enhanced without them even kicking a ball on Wednesday as their closest challengers Manchester City and Aston Villa both dropped points.

Erling Haaland scored his 150th goal for City as he put them in front against Brighton and Hove Albion from the penalty spot but Kaoru Mitoma equalised for the visitors on the hour with the game finishing 1-1.

It was the third successive draw for stuttering City who were held by Sunderland on New Year's Day and by Chelsea at the weekend when they also conceded an equaliser.

"The result is the result. I'm not a person who believes what we have done isn't fair," City manager Pep Guardiola said.

Second-placed City remain five points behind Arsenal who can stretch the lead to eight if they beat Liverpool on Thursday.

Third-placed ‌Villa are also five behind after they could only draw 0-0 in a dour contest at Crystal Palace, Ollie ‌Watkins going closest for Villa with a late effort against the woodwork.

Chelsea's new manager Liam Rosenior watched on in the stands at Craven Cottage as his new club went down 2-1 at Fulham after having Marc Cucurella sent off midway through the first half.

Raul Jimenez gave Fulham the lead and although Liam Delap equalised for the visitors, Harry Wilson sealed the points for Fulham. Defeat left Chelsea down in eighth place.

SESKO SCORES TWICE

Two days after sacking manager Ruben Amorim, Manchester United could only draw 2-2 at 19th-placed Burnley.

Benjamin Sesko scored twice for United, doubling his tally for the season, but it was not enough to give caretaker manager Darren Fletcher a win as Jaidon Anthony's equaliser earned Burnley a point. United ‍slipped to seventh.

Brentford moved into fifth spot as