Brighton vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction as Gunners extend lead at the top
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal take on Brighton with hopes of maintaining their lead at the top of the Premier League table
Premier League leaders Arsenal moved seven points clear at the top going into the new year after a glorious Gabriel Martinelli goal capped a thrilling 4-2 victory at Brighton.
Goals from Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Eddie Nketiah set the Gunners on course for a fifth consecutive top-flight success to cement their status as serious title contenders.
Kaoru Mitoma reduced Albion’s deficit 25 minutes from time before Martinelli, aided by a wonderful Odegaard assist, raced half the length of the pitch to stylishly restore the three-goal advantage.
Seagulls substitute Evan Ferguson increased the tension going into the final stages by claiming his first Premier League goal, while Mitoma thought he had set up a grandstand finish, only for his 89th-minute strike to be disallowed for offside.
Despite the unwanted anxiety of the late drama, the in-form visitors held on to celebrate an impressive victory and take a healthy advantage into 2023.
Follow all the reaction from Brighton vs Arsenal in the Premier League:
Fernandes expecting difficult game
Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes says that he is expecting a difficult game at Molineux today as the Wolves players look to impress their new manager.
Speaking to BT Sport ahead of kick off, Fernandes said: “I think there’s been big improvement from all of us since the beginning of the season. Obviously the first two games were really tough but since then, we’ve been much better.
“Obviously it is always tough to play against Wolves and having a new manager is something that will make them push a bit more. Everyone will want to show themselves to the new manager and it is always difficult.
“We had that against Aston Villa so we know the experience of that. We know the way Wolves can hurt us, but at the same time we understand that, with our qualities, we can learn from the past and improve.”
An unwanted record
Wolves can become the first club to reach double figures in Premier League home defeats in consecutive years, having lost 10 times in 2021.
United wish Fergie Happy Birthday
Today is Sir Alex Ferguson’s birthday and the Manchester United legend turns 81. The club sent their former boss well wishes and no doubt he will love to celebrate with a United victory.
A great start for Lopetegui
Julen Lopetegui is the first Wolves manager to win his opening top-flight game since John Barnwell in November 1978.
He could become only the third manager to win his first two top-flight fixtures in charge of the club after Andy Beattie in 1964 and Sammy Chung in 1977.
Lopetegui was Sevilla manager when they won the 2020 Europa League, beating Manchester United 2-1 in the semi-finals.
Julen Lopetegui hopes Wolves hunt down more deals in January transfer window
Julen Lopetegui is ready to boost Wolves’ survival hopes by raiding the January sales.
The former Spain manager is hunting more recruits next month after already adding Matheus Cunha.
The striker has joined on loan from Atletico Madrid with an obligation to buy for £44million but is unavailable to face Manchester United on Saturday as he waits for the window to officially open on Sunday.
Wolves are 18th in the Premier League, a point from safety, and Lopetegui is hopeful of more reinforcements.
Julen Lopetegui hopes Wolves hunt down more deals in January transfer window
The Wolves boss has already added Matheus Cunha on loan from Atletico Madrid with an obligation to buy for £44m
United in good form on the road
Manchester United can win five consecutive matches in all competitions for the first time since April 2021.
They have won four of their last seven Premier League away games (with one draw and two defeats), scoring in each match. The Red Devils had lost the previous seven fixtures in a row on the road.
Erik ten Hag believes World Cup win will strengthen Lisandro Martinez
Erik ten Hag believes Lisandro Martinez can become an even better defender for Manchester United after helping Argentina to World Cup glory.
The summer signing from Ajax returned to training on Wednesday and could come into contention for Saturday’s trip to Wolves after enjoying the celebrations back in his homeland.
With a World Cup winners’ medal now in his pocket, Ten Hag expects to see an extra spring in Martinez’s step.
Erik ten Hag believes World Cup win will strengthen Lisandro Martinez
The summer signing from Ajax returned to training on Wednesday and could come into contention for Saturday’s trip to Wolves
Can Wolves win again?
Wolves are looking to secure consecutive Premier League wins for the first time since March, a sequence which also included an away win against Everton.
However, they have lost their last three home league games by an aggregate score of 9-2.
They begin this game 18th in the Premier League table. Their three league victories so far in this campaign were against the teams currently 17th, 19th and 20th in the table (prior to the latest round of fixtures).
Wolves vs Man Utd team changes
Julen Lopetegui makes one change to the Wolves team that snuck past Everton last time out. Matheus Nunes replaces Joe Hodge.
There’s a big surprise in the Manchester United starting XI as Marcus Rashford drops to the bench to make way for Alejandro Garnacho in Erik ten Hag’s only change from the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
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