Premier League: Gunners back on top with stroll, De Bruyne inspires Man City at Palace

Arsenal back on top after easy win at Brighton

Arsenal moved to the top of the Premier League as goals from Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard added the gloss to another mature performance from the Gunners to beat Brighton 3-0 on Saturday.

Mikel Arteta's men edge one point clear of Liverpool, who face Manchester United on Sunday, and champions Manchester City at the top of the table.

Saka opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Havertz slotted in his fifth goal in his last nine Arsenal games.

Leandro Trossard came off the bench to haunt his old club with a cool chip over Bart Verbruggen for the third five minutes from time.

Arteta could even afford the luxury of replacing Saka just after the hour mark in perfect preparation for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, first leg against Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

Brighton had not lost at home in 14 games in all competitions stretching back to September, but they had not met a side of Arsenal's class on that run.

They have now won 10 and draw one, away to Manchester City, of their last 11 league games to put themselves in position for a first Premier League title in 20 years.

Set-pieces have been a major weapon for Arsenal this season and the nearly led within seconds as Gabriel headed Martin Odegaard's inviting free-kick wide.

Saka was rested for Wednesday's 2-0 victory over Luton and should have marked his return with a goal before he broke the deadlock as the England international fired wide with just Verbruggen to beat.

The Dutch international goalkeeper then produced a stunning save to deny Gabriel Jesus and the Brazilian headed another good chance wide from Havertz's inviting cross.

But Arsenal's pressure finally found its reward on 33 minutes.

Jesus was tripped inside the area by Tariq Lamptey and the defender's protestations that he got a touch on the ball fell on deaf ears.

Saka took responsibility from the spot and sent Verbruggen the wrong way for his 17th goal of the season.

Arsenal have now kept five consecutive clean sheets on the road in the Premier League and were rarely threatened by an impotent Brighton attack.

Julio Enciso came closest to a response for the Seagulls with a curling effort from outside the box that David Raya did well to turn behind.

Arsenal were less threatening after the break but scored the all-important second goal when Jorginho got to the by-line and his cross was tapped in at the near post by Havertz.

The German international then turned provider for the third as he set Trossard galloping clear in behind the Brighton defence to score on his first return to the Amex since leaving for the Emirates in January 2023.

City were 4-2 winners over Crystal Palace earlier on Saturday and now the pressure is on Liverpool to respond to their title challengers when they return to Old Trafford seeking revenge.

Just three weeks ago Jurgen Klopp's men were beaten 4-3 by United in a thrilling FA Cup quarter-final. - AFP

Everton win relegation scrap, Villa draw

Everton went into their match against second-from-bottom Burnley desperately searching for a spark of inspiration after a run of 13 Premier League matches without a win.

They struggled to impose themselves but benefited from a huge error from visiting goalkeeper Arijanet Muric in first-half stoppage time.

Muric took too much time to clear the ball and when he did it was straight at Dominic Calvert-Lewin, with the ball rebounding off the forward into the net.

The 1-0 win means Everton are now four points above the relegation zone.

But the club need everything they can get as they wait nervously to find out if they will be handed a second points deduction this season for breaking Premier League financial rules.

Fourth-placed Villa, beaten in midweek by City, will rue a second-half collapse that could prove costly in their chase to qualify for next season's Champions League.

Unai Emery's men drew 3-3 against Brentford but only after tossing away a 2-0 lead.

Villa led 2-0 moments into the second half after goals from Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rodgers but three goals in nine minutes from Mathias Jorgensen, Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa turned the match on its head.

Watkins scored his second goal of the game in the 80th minute but Villa could not find a winner and they are just three points above fifth-placed Tottenham, who have two games in hand.

Carlton Morris scored a 90th-minute goal in Luton's 2-1 win against Bournemouth -- a result that leaves them in the relegation zone but now level on points with 17th-placed Nottingham Forest.

Newcastle beat Fulham 1-0 courtesy of a late goal from Bruno Guimaraes to keep alive their hopes of European football next season while West Ham came from behind to beat Wolves 2-1.

De Bruyne inspires Man City comeback at Crystal Palace

Kevin De Bruyne brought up his century of goals for Manchester City by scoring twice in a 4-2 win at Crystal Palace that moved the champions level on points with Premier League leaders Liverpool.

City had fallen behind after just three minutes at Selhurst Park, but De Bruyne led the response by curling in a beauty to equalise.

Rico Lewis put the visitors in front early in the second half before De Bruyne teed up Erling Haaland to end his goal drought.

And the Belgian rounded off a stunning display by smashing in his 100th City goal.

Pep Guardiola's decision to hand De Bruyne and Haaland the night off for Wednesday's 4-1 win over Aston Villa paid dividends as his side remain on course to defend the treble they won last season.

Just three days ahead of City's trip to Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals, Guardiola took the chance to shuffle his pack again.

Phil Foden, the hat-trick hero against Villa, was dropped to the bench alongside Manuel Akanji, Bernardo Silva and Jeremy Doku.

On paper, City did not appear to be weakened as John Stones and Oscar Bobb came in with De Bruyne and Haaland.

But it was an error from the ring-rusty Stones that gave Palace the perfect start after just three minutes.

Stones was making his return after being injured on England duty last month, but an errant pass was pounced on by Adam Wharton, who released Jean-Philippe Mateta to fire in off the post.

The goal awoke City from their slumber with De Bruyne at the heart of most of their most threatening attacks.

Only a brilliant save by Dean Henderson denied Rodri a quick reply.

But the visitors were level within 10 minutes of falling behind as De Bruyne curled in a stunning strike into the top corner.

Haaland had failed to score in his previous five games for club and country and failed to take advantage of a brilliant De Bruyne through ball as Henderson saved a one-on-one.

Palace, though, could also have been back in front before the break when Jordan Ayew smashed off the bar after a rare Rodri error.

There was little doubt over the outcome once Lewis pounced on some slack Palace defending from Jack Grealish's deflected cross to make it 2-1 on 47 minutes.

Grealish's season has been repeatedly disrupted by injury but his return to fitness and form could be a vital component in City's quest to retain the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.

He was also involved in his side's third goal as Grealish picked out De Bruyne's, whose cross was touched in by Haaland for a much-needed goal for the Norwegian.

Haaland now has 30 for the season in all competitions but had failed to find the net in 12 of his previous 17 games on his return from a foot injury that kept him out for two months.

Having curled one in on his right foot, De Bruyne then blasted in a piledriver with his left to make it 100 goals in 372 games since joining City in 2015.

At that point City seemed set to win by the four-goal margin they needed to go above Liverpool on goal difference.

But it was Palace who got the sixth and final goal of the game when Odsonne Edouard turned in Jeffrey Schlupp's cross.

City move two points ahead of Arsenal, who can go top later on Saturday when they visit Brighton. - AFP