Leaders Arsenal held by 10-man Chelsea

LONDON, England (AP):

Mikel Merino salvaged a 1-1 draw for Arsenal at 10-man Chelsea as the race for the Premier League title tightened yesterday.

Arsenal are five points clear of second-placed Manchester City, with Chelsea a point further back in third.

Mikel Arteta’s team was boosted late in the first half at Stamford Bridge when Moises Caicedo was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Merino. But, despite being a man down, Chelsea went ahead in the 48th minute through Trevoh Chalobah’s header.

Merino equalised in the 59th, but Arsenal couldn’t make their numerical advantage count and dropped points away from home for the second time in successive matches.

Arsenal beat Bayern Munich midweek in the Champions League and Arteta said it had been a positive week, though accepted “we should’ve won the game (Sunday), and we haven’t. That’s a learning point for me”.

The result meant Man City were the big winners of the weekend, following Saturday’s late victory against Leeds, which saw Pep Guardiola’s team climb above Chelsea to second in the standings.

“I think that we showed that we are in the right direction,” Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca told Sky Sports. “We were a much, much better team than them when we were 11 versus 11. Then, with 10 players, it’s more difficult, but the way they dealt with that situation was outstanding.”

Liverpool got back to winning ways -- beating West Ham 2-0 –and Manchester United rallied to a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace.

Aston Villa are fourth after a 1-0 win against last-placed Wolverhampton, and fifth-placed Brighton won 2-0 at Nottingham Forest.

ISAK OFF THE MARK

Alexander Isak scored his first Premier League goal for Liverpool to set up a much-needed win for Arne Slot’s team.

On a day when Mohamed Salah was dropped to the bench, British record-signing Isak opened the scoring at the London Stadium. Cody Gakpo got the second for Liverpool, who went into the match on a run of six losses in their last seven league games.

“I am aware that it has been a long time coming and I’ve been trying to get back to my best form,” Isak told Sky Sports. “I am still on the way but I am happy to have that goal.”

Isak, a $170-million signing from Newcastle in the summer, had not scored in his five league games for his new club and only had one goal in 10 games in all. But, in the absence of Salah, the Sweden international converted with a first-time effort in the box after 60 minutes to open his Premier League account for the season.

Slot’s bold call to leave out the iconic Salah paid off after the Egypt international’s unconvincing form this season. Slot shook up his attack, with Florian Wirtz and Gakpo alongside Isak.

Isak’s clinical finish into the bottom corner put Liverpool in control and West Ham’s chances were dealt another blow when Lucas Paqueta was sent off in the 84th.

Gakpo converted in the second minute of added time to put the game beyond doubt.

“We have to use this win in a good way, but also be humble, because we’ve had a tough time. So one win doesn’t necessarily mean we’re back,” said Isak.