EPL: Arsenal extend lead as Eze haunts former Club, Villa end City’s unbeaten run

Femi Fabunmi 

Eberechi Eze came back to torment his former club as Arsenal defeated Crystal Palace 1-0 to tighten their grip at the top of the Premier League table, while Aston Villa marked Unai Emery’s third anniversary in charge with a hard-fought win over champions Manchester City.
At Selhurst Park, Eze  who joined

Arsenal from Palace in a £67 million summer transfer  struck the decisive goal with a stunning acrobatic finish from a set-piece routine midway through the first half.

Declan Rice’s curling free-kick was nodded down by Gabriel, allowing Eze to fire home and silence his old supporters.

Crystal Palace, still reeling from their midweek Europa Conference League loss to AEK Larnaca, fought bravely with Jean-Philippe Mateta offering their main threat, but the Arsenal defence stood firm as goalkeeper David Raya enjoyed a largely quiet evening.

The Gunners almost added to their lead after the break as Gabriel’s header rattled the crossbar and Bukayo Saka went close with a curling effort from the edge of the area. The result extended Arsenal’s unbeaten run in all competitions to 10 matches and opened up a four-point gap at the summit.

Meanwhile, at Villa Park, Unai Emery’s resurgent Aston Villa celebrated his three-year tenure in style by halting

Manchester City’s nine-game unbeaten streak with a gritty 1-0 victory.

Matty Cash’s precise left-footed strike from the edge of the box in the 19th minute sealed the points for the hosts, though City protested the corner that led to the goal.

Pep Guardiola’s men had their chances, with Erling Haaland denied by a sharp Emiliano Martinez save shortly after the opener.

City looked weary after their midweek Champions League exertions in Spain and never found their rhythm.

John McGinn saw a volley blocked, and Donnarumma produced a superb double save to keep out Jadon Sancho, while Haaland’s late effort was ruled offside.

The result lifted Villa’s spirits after their Europa League setback and underscored Emery’s remarkable transformation of the club while City’s defeat meant they missed the opportunity to climb into second place behind the relentless Gunners.