Last minute shockers bookended a rather more pedestrian block of fixtures this Saturday.
Early Match: Aston Villa 2 – 1 Arsenal
For a team as defensively sound as Arsenal, that second goal conceded in stoppage time had to feel particularly galling. The ball ping-ponged around the box, touching at least eight different players (including a wonderful save from David Raya) before falling onto the right foot of Emiliano Buendía. He pounded it into the net, unleashing absolute bedlam on the touchline, stands and field.
It was a devastating blow to the Gunners in this Crucible month. A win would have seen them five points clear of their close rival; that gap has now shrunk to two points. For Villa, this result caps an incredible turnaround which saw them fail to score a goal in their opening four matches. From 19th place, they’ve climbed all the way into 3rd in just eleven games.
Matty Cash opened the scoring for Villa with a tight angled strike in the 36th minute. It was a deserving goal, as the hosts had been the brighter of the two sides, creating a number of chances. After the half, Arsenal tightened up. Leonardo Trossard equalized seven minutes after subbing in, continuing a great run of form for the Belgian midfielder. The two keepers combined for eleven saves on the match, which shows how open the contest was.
Late Match: Leeds United 3 – 3 Liverpool
This was perhaps the greatest second half of soccer played this season, and not just in comparison to a somewhat lackluster beginning. Liverpool controlled the first half but were unable to muster any real scoring threat outside of Curtis Jones’ lovely shot that struck the crossbar. All that pent up frustration was channelled by striker Hugo Ekitiké, who scored twice between the 48th and 50th minute. Starting in place of Alexander Isak, it was the Frenchman’s first league goal contribution since Matchweek 5. Liverpool were squarely in the driver’s seat after that, dictating the flow and pace.
High Impact Subs
Then Daniel Farke made three substitutions that would go on to change the tempo. Tiny Wilfried Gnonto provided an immediate energy boost. His pace, pressing, and dribbling caused Liverpool headaches. As he sprinted to a ball rolling towards the line, Ibrahima Konate went to ground and made contact. After initially dismissing any foul, referee Anthony Taylor strolled over to the monitor after VAR whispered in his ear. He reversed his decision and gave Leeds the spot kick, which Dominic Calvert-Lewin calmly converted.
At this moment, Elland Road found its voice once again. Amidst the cacophony of support, Leeds’ players responded. Gnonto found second sub Brenden Aaronson in space, and the American drove towards the box. Holding his run, he passed to Anton Stach. The German, with plenty of space after Konate inexplicably dropped off him, smashed the ball into the inside of the goal. The noise level at Elland tripled.
It was a rough one-two punch to the nose for Liverpool, who righted and then regrouped. Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri made a diving save to deny Virgil van Dijk’s header moments after the equalizer. Then Dominik Szoboszlai lashed in a strike past the Brazilian.
But Elland Road never stopped chanting, cheering, relishing their job as the all-important 12th man. And that devotion was rewarded. Six minutes deep into stoppage time, Anton Stach took a corner. The ball looped up and over everyone crunched into the center of the box. Lurking on the flank was Farke’s third substitute Ao Tanaka, who drove the ball into the ground and skipped it past Alison to once again draw his side square. Cue the mayhem. Cue the chaos.
All the Middle Ones
AFC Bournemouth 0 – 0 Chelsea
Bournemouth managed to grab their second point from the last six games by holding Chelsea to their third straight league match without a win.
Everton 3 – 0 Nottingham Forest
David Moyes dismissed talk of European competition for the Toffees next season by claiming the team “is still building”, but he couldn’t mask a smirk or the smile in his eyes as he disparaged. Everton drove the narrative in this game from the 2nd minute own goal right through the final whistle.
Manchester City 3 – 0 Sunderland
City was able to blunt a rampaging Sunderland side, limiting them to a single shot on target from eight attempts. On the attacking end, Rayan Cherki provided two assists, including a ridiculous rabona perfectly targeted to Phil Foden, who headed it into the top corner. This win put City only two points behind league leaders Arsenal.
Newcastle United 2 – 1 Burnley
Burnley played a man short after Lucas Pires saw red for a DOGSO, taking down Anthony Elanga in the 43rd minute. They were already down by a goal from Bruno Guimarães’ 31st minute olimpico, and conceded a second before the halftime whistle from Anthony Gordon’s spot kick. Zian Flemming would pull one back for the visitors deep into stoppage time.
Tottenham Hotspur 2 – 0 Brentford
Thomas Frank’s reunion with his old club delivered an early Christmas, or late Sinterklaas, present to Spurs fans: a home win. It was only their second of the season.
The Qooligan is a respected Sports Journalist specializing in Soccer, Premier League and Champions League who holds a Masters – History from Columbia University. With extensive experience in Sports Journalism, particularly in Soccer, Premier League and Champions League, The Qooligan provides expert analysis and valuable insights based on years of professional practice. You can read more of The Qooligan’s professional background on Hooligan Soccer and Hooligan Soccer. Connect with The Qooligan on X and Bluesky. The Qooligan is an alias of Hooligan Soccer founder Q Williams. Q is a 20+ year veteran of numerous technology and media companies, including MTV, Gracenote, Watchwith and Crunchyroll. He has a master’s degree in European History from Columbia University. As an established authority in Sports Journalism with specialized knowledge in Soccer, Premier League and Champions League, The Qooligan is committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy content that reflects both expertise and experience.
