NEWCASTLE, WEST HAM DRAW; ARSENAL SUFFER DEFEAT; LIVERPOOL THRASHED

It was back to Premier League action this weekend and we had seven tasty fixtures play out across Saturday.

Here is all that happened up and down the league…

Newcastle, West Ham play out scrappy stalemate

Scorers: Wilson 3′, Paquetá 32′

In an intense, physical showdown, Newcastle suffered a league leading tenth draw this season after finishing the game level with West Ham.

The red-hot Magpies picked up right where they left off in their last time out at St. James Park.

Joe Willock looked to put the hosts on top just 35 seconds into the match, but the goal was ruled out after a VAR check revealed that the ball had gone out of play in the build up.

However, Newcastle were determined to claim their early lead, as immediately from the restart Callum Wilson was played in behind, and slotted home to end his ten-game scoring drought.

The Hammers responded well however, and found their all-important equaliser on the half-hour mark.

Lucas Paquetá was left all alone at the back-post on a West Ham corner, allowing the Brasilian to slot home from point-blank range.

The stalemate continued into the second half, as both sides created chances, and subsequently defended well.

Newcastle looked to carve out the chance to win the game, but Callum Wilson sent his point-blank header right into the keeper’s waiting arms, seeing honours end even.

Liverpool’s horror run continues at Wolves

Scorers: Matip OG 6′, Dawson 12′, Neves 71′

Liverpool’s woes show no signs of subsiding as they capitulated at Molineux in a 3-0 loss to Wolves.

Liverpool got off to the worst start when some slack defending allowed a hopeful ball over the top to bounce in the area, resulting in Joël Matip diverting into his own net off the upright.

Six minutes later, it was more of the same albeit from a set-piece as more uncertainty at the back from the Reds allowed Craig Dawson to grab his first Wolves goal and double their lead on his debut.

That theme continued as Matip again hesitated from a long ball, presenting Matheus Nunes with a big chance to kill off the game before the break, only to be denied by Alisson.

After the break, Liverpool responded much better but couldn’t make the breakthrough as both Mo Salah and Darwin Núñez missed big chances to reduce the deficit.

And Wolves killed off the contest inside the final 20 minutes when Adama Traoré was released down the right and he picked out the run of Rúben Neves to waltz through and score.

Julen Lopetegui’s men move out of the drop zone with the win as Liverpool, who have just one win from their last seven in all competitions, stay 10th and continue to chase their first league win of 2023.

United hang on despite Casemiro dismissal

Scorers: Fernandes (PEN) 7′, Rashford 62′; Schlupp 71′

Manchester United survived a Casemiro red card and late Crystal Palace rally to hold on for a big win at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.

The hosts were gifted an early opener after tributes were paid prior to kick-off to the victims of the Munich air disaster as a foolish handball from Will Hughes in the area presented Bruno Fernandes with a chance to score from the spot and he made no mistake.

It took until the hour mark and withstanding some good Palace pressure before United doubled their lead, Marcus Rashford finishing off a fine team move by turning Luke Shaw’s cross home in front of the Stretford End.

But things then took a swift turn for the hosts when Casemiro was sent off for a fracas involving Hughes, grabbing the player by the throat with both hands and given his marching orders after a VAR check.

Palace made the most of their man advantage when Jeffrey Schlupp pulled one back with a delightful outside-of-the-booth flick after the ball was knocked down to him in the area.

But United hung on to go within two points of Manchester City in second, while Patrick Vieira’s men remain 12th.

Leicester pounce to end Villa’s run

Scorers: Watkins 9′, Souttar OG 32′; Maddison 12′, Iheanacho 41′, Tete 45+2′, Praet 79′

Aston Villa’s Premier League unbeaten run came crashing to a surprising stop despite twice taking the lead against Leicester at home.

Ollie Watkins gave in-form Villa a ninth minute lead when he pounced quickest in the area after an Emi Buendía curler came back off the bar, allowing the striker to turn in the loose ball.

It didn’t last long though as James Maddison swiftly pulled the Foxes level, finishing simply after Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall won possession in advanced territory.

Villa came close to regaining the lead but again the bar denied Buendía as his glancing header struck the woodwork and out to safety but on 32 minutes, they did hit the front again.

And the goal came via Foxes debutant Harry Souttar after he diverted a ball from Watkins past Danny Ward for a disastrous start to life at Leicester.

But he was swiftly bailed out by his new team-mates as firstly Kelechi Iheanacho headed in a Harvey Barnes cross and then Tetê enjoyed a scoring debut of his own after Boubacar Kamara lost the ball again.

Dennis Praet came close to leaving last month but Brendan Rodgers will have been thankful he can still call upon him after he wrapped up the win in the closing stages to move his side three points clear of the drop zone, while Villa stay 11th.

Bees’ killer instinct sinks Southampton

Scorers: Mee 41′, Mbeumo 44′, Jensen 80′

Brentford moved into the top seven of the Premier League table by putting Southamptonto the sword at home.

Southampton’s unfortunate trend of failing to score the first goal in every Premier Leaguegame under Nathan Jones so far continued when a Bryan Mbeumo cross from the left was headed home by Ben Mee.

The provider then turned scorer moments later as the ball was laid on a plate for him from close range to find the net.

With 10 minutes to go, the Bees ensured there would be no late drama when Rico Henry set up Mathias Jensen and he added a third.

Saints stay rooted to the bottom with the defeat, while results elsewhere push Thomas Frank’s side into seventh.

Mitoma does it at the death again

Scorers: Mitoma 87′

Kaouru Mitoma continued his heroics for Brighton to keep them in the top six with another dramatic late winner.

Having netted in injury-time to dump holders Liverpool out of the FA Cup last week, he broke Bournemouth’s hearts late this time by hading home Jeremy Sarmiento’s cross three minutes from the end for all three points.

The win sees Brighton stay sixth in the standings, while the Cherries remain second from bottom.

Dyche era begins with shock win over Arsenal

Scorers: Tarkowski 60′

Everton climbed out of the relegation zone after Sean Dyche inspired his new side to a shock win over the league leaders Arsenal in his first game in charge.

It is only the second time this season that the Gunners have experienced defeat as their 13-match unbeaten run came to an end on Merseyside.

The Toffees set about making it difficult for their visitors from the first whistle, setting up with bodies beyond the ball to frustrate their opponents and breaking quickly on the counter-attack.

Amadou Onana’s bursting run into the box was almost capitalised on by Dominic Calvert-Lewin but he just missed getting on to the end of the Belgian’s low cross across goal.

Bukayo Saka spurned Arsenal’s best and only chance of the first half when his half-volley was cleared off the line by Conor Coady before Calvert-Lewin came close with a glancing header from Seamus Coleman’s cross which flew just wide of the post.

Arsenal’s struggles continued into the second half which led to Mikel Arteta turning to new signings Jorginho and Leandro Trossard from the bench just before the hour mark.

But Everton struck the deadly blow moments later when James Tarkowski wriggled free at the back post to head home Dwight McNeil’s corner.

A remarkable first win in nine games for Everton who move up to 17th while Arsenalremain five points clear of Manchester Citywith the two sides to meet on February 15