Brighton scrap to Arsenal win as Newcastle frustrate Blades

Brighton plunged Arsenal into a pre-Christmas depression by taking all three points from The Emirates courtesy of a Neal Maupay winner.

A slow game low on quality stepped up a level when Adam Webster smashed home a loose ball in Arsenal’s box for the centre backs second goal of the season.

Arsenal struck back however, with Mesut Ozil assisting a looping Alexadre Lacazette near post header from a corner five minutes after half-time.

But it was Brighton who again took the initiative, with Neal Maupay heading in Aaron Mooy’s cross to end Brighton’s win of three consecutive losses, lifting them to a point behind Arsenal in the table.

©Getty / Alex Livesey

In Sheffield, Newcastle took an early lead through summer signing Allan Saint-Maximin who met a Javi Manquillo cross with a powerful header for his first Magpies.

Sheffield United fought and fought with striker Ollie McBurnie testing Newcastle keeper Martin Dubravka on multiple occasions, but the game was unfortunately decided by more VAR interference.

Andy Carroll flicked-on a through pass for Jonjo Shelvey, but with the linesman’s flag instantly raised, the Sheffield United defence stopped playing, including goalkeeper Dean Henderson. 

Shelvey though, played to the whistle and dispatched the ball, with VAR confirming he was marginally onside, securing the result, and the first time Sheffield United have lost by more than a single goal in their Premier League return.

📝 Arsenal fans have been through the wringer recently: the Gunners eight without a win ahead of tonight's Premier League clash v Brighton.

We caught up with Louis @Gunnersc0m to survey the wreckage of Unai Emery's era at the Emirates...

👉 https://t.co/XYTRqzMKs5#AFC #ARSBHA pic.twitter.com/JvqiuOAXH0

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) December 5, 2019