Thursday’s briefing: Liverpool marches on and Arsenal faces another setback

Runaway leaders Liverpool continued their relentless march towards the Premier League title by moving 13 points clear with a 2-0 win over Newcastle.

Arsenal’s faltering challenge suffered another setback as they were held to a goalless draw at third-placed Nottingham Forest, while Manchester City moved back into the top four on an evening when Manchester United survived a scare against relegation-threatened Ipswich.

At Wembley, the Lionesses partially avenged defeat in the 2023 World Cup final by producing a “proper English” performance to beat Spain.

This team ❤️ pic.twitter.com/UhYk7hIJci

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 26, 2025

In a dress rehearsal for next month’s Carabao Cup final, Liverpool swatted aside Newcastle to take another step towards a second Premier League title in five years.

Goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister moved the Merseyside club closer to a record-equalling 20th championship trophy as manager Arne Slot watched from the stands due to a touchline ban.

Toothless Arsenal, meanwhile, dropped more points in their increasingly futile pursuit of the Reds following a stalemate at the City Ground.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said his side would concede the title “over my dead body” but, playing without a recognised striker, the visitors managed just one shot on target and could not convincingly respond to Saturday’s 1-0 home loss to West Ham.