Arsenal blew a chance to make significant ground on Premier League leaders Liverpool with a disappointing 1-1 draw at Brighton.
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal, runners-up in the Premier League for the past two seasons, travel to the south coast on Saturday in search of a fourth successive league win.
Seventeen-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, subbing for the injured Bukayo Saka, put them on course for the three points in the first half.
But Joao Pedro jumped from the penalty spot following a head-butt between the Brazilian and William Saliba just after the hour mark, prompting an angry reaction from Arteta.
“We are also very disappointed with the penalty and the way it was given,” said Arteta. “I've never seen that in my life, and Saliba touches the ball, so it's never a penalty for me.”
The 1-1 draw means the Gunners are five points behind Liverpool in second place, having played two more games, with Arne Slott's in-form leaders hosting Manchester United on Sunday.
“We knew it would be competitive and challenging,” Arteta said. “But we competed, and it wasn't our best day.
“We play every three days too, and today we lost too many simple things. Doing the simple things, we have to do them right, and today was not up to those standards.”
Man City return to winning ways against West Ham
Manchester City, who beat Leicester last week for just their second win in 14 games, have now won back-to-back games for the first time since October after they West Ham pumped 4-1 earlier on Saturday.
The defending champions took an early lead against West Ham through a Vladimir Coufal own goal and Erling Haaland heading in Savinho's deep cross shortly before the break.
The Norwegian claimed his second 10 minutes after the interval, feeding the ball past Alphonse Areola after a fine pass from Savinho, to take his league tally to 16 goals, one behind Liverpool's Mohamed Salah.
Phil Foden made it 4-0 before Niclas Fullkrug grabbed a consolation for Julen Lopetegui's men, who suffered a 5-0 drubbing by Premier League leaders Liverpool last week.
Arsenal's draw at Brighton means Liverpool can go eight points clear, with a game in hand…
They face Man Utd tomorrow at 16:30 GMT 🔜 pic.twitter.com/CTvSfzmHPZ
– Premier League (@premierleague) January 4, 2025
Despite their disappointing results, sixth-placed City are just two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, but Guardiola said his side were still not back in the groove.
“I'm very happy with the result, but you can't ask me if the old town is back,” he said. “If you saw the game, we don't.
“You've seen many times over the years what we've done with the opposition.”
Newcastle, Chelsea and Aston Villa up the chase; Tottenham go down
Early in the first half, Newcastle United came from behind to clinch a fifth successive Premier League victory and heap more misery on injury-hit Tottenham Hotspur. The home side took the lead in the fourth minute through Dominic Solanke.
Newcastle jumped two minutes later when Anthony Gordon headed into the bottom corner, but Postecoglou stood in disbelief on the touchline looking at referee Andrew Madley after Joelinton latched on to Lucas Bergvall's pass with his hand in the preparation.
VAR deemed that Joelinton's arm was in a natural position and the contact was accidental. In form Alexander Isak scored what turned out to be the winner near the end of the first period.
The 2-1 victory, overseen by new England manager Thomas Tuchel, leaves Newcastle in fifth place, which could be enough to secure a place in next season's Champions League. But Spurs have dropped to 12th in the table after five defeats in seven games.
Postecoglou said he was proud of his players but that they were “the worst I think I've ever been in my career”.
“I think it's clear,” said the Australian. “Now whether people agree with me or not, whether it was handball or accidental, I'm not interested in that debate.
“I know what everyone wants me to say, but the one thing I will say is that on any other day, on a fair and square playing field, we would have won that game. Simple as that.”
Enzo Maresca's Chelsea were pulling Liverpool's neck just two weeks ago but they managed just two points from four games over the holiday.
Cole Palmer gave the visitors the lead in the first half, but they were unable to capitalize on their possession and Jean-Philippe Mateta leveled in the 82nd minute.
“Two weeks ago, three weeks ago, we were talking about the title race … games,” Maresca said.
Aston Villa beat relegation-threatened Leicester 2-1 at home, with goals from Ross Barkley and Leon Bailey.
Brentford recorded their first league win on the road this season, beating Southampton 5-0, while Bournemouth beat Everton 1-0.
