England Roundup: Son helps Tottenham draw at Arsenal; Liverpool wins again

After entering half-time level with goals from Mo Salah and Jarrod Bowen, a dominant second-half performance for Liverpool saw Darwin Nunez give his side the lead before substitute Diogo Jota sealed the win with five minutes to go.

LONDON (AP) — Son Heung-min scored twice as Tottenham maintained its unbeaten Premier League record under Ange Postecoglou by holding Arsenal to a 2-2 draw in the north London derby on Sunday.

Arsenal led twice through an own-goal by Cristian Romero and a penalty by Bukayo Saka, but Son made it 1-1 shortly before halftime and levelled again on a quick counter just a minute after the Gunners had scored their second.

Tottenham’s second goal came after a huge mistake by Jorginho, who dawdled on the ball in midfield and was dispossessed by James Maddison.

Both teams remained level on 14 points each after four wins and two draws to open the season, but fell four points behind leading Manchester City.

Tottenham has impressed under Postecoglou but this was seen as the biggest test yet for the manager’s attack-minded “Angeball” tactics.

And a point at Spurs’ biggest rival will only underline the feeling that the club is heading in the right direction after a disappointing last season under Antonio Conte.

Arsenal had the better start, though, and took the lead after Oleksandr Zinchenko robbed Spurs of possession. Arsenal worked the ball over to Saka on the right flank and he cut into the area before taking a left-footed shot that was deflected into his own net by Romero.

Gabriel Jesus should have doubled the lead in the 32nd when he robbed Maddison of the ball in the Tottenham area to have a free shot on goal, but fired it well over the bar.

In a free-flowing first half, Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya made a great save in the 38th by diving to his right and palming away a shot from Brennan Johnson after a quick counter by Spurs.

But Son equalized in the 42nd when Maddison cut in from the left and picked out the South Korean, who beat three Arsenal defenders to the ball for a first-time finish inside the far post.

The goal came after Arsenal failed to clear the ball following another save from Raya to deny Johnson from close range.

Arsenal had to make a double substitution at halftime as central midfield duo Declan Rice and Fabio Vieira both went off injured and were replaced by Jorginho and Kai Havertz.

But the Gunners went back in front after they were awarded a penalty when Romero blocked a shot from Ben White with his arm and Saka calmly slotted his spot kick down the middle in the 54th.

But Jorginho’s howler shortly after the restart allowed Maddison to play Son clear on goal and the forward rolled a low finish past Raya.

Saka came closest to a winner in the 10 minutes of added time when his low shot from outside the area forced a one-handed save from Gulielmo Vicario. At the other end, substitute Richarlison had a shot deflected wide in the final seconds.

LIVERPOOL 3, WEST HAM 1

In Liverpool, Darwin Nunez scored his fourth goal of the season to help the home side beat West Ham 3-1.

The Uruguay international has now scored in back-to-back games for the first time since February as Jurgen Klopp’s side made it five successive Premier League wins to move into outright second spot, two points behind defending champion Manchester City.

Nunez netted with a rasping 60th-minute volley from Alexis Mac Allister’s lofted pass to restore Liverpool’s lead after Jarrod Bowen’s diving header in the first half had cancelled out Mohamed Salah’s penalty. It was Salah’s 12th goal in his last 13 appearances at Anfield.

Substitute Diogo Jota added the third goal in the 85th. Liverpool scored at least three goals in their opening three home league games for only the second time in the last 43 years.

BRIGHTON 3, BOURNEMOUTH 1

In Brighton, Roberto De Zerbi’s inspired double substitution helped the home team come from behind to beat Bournemouth 3-1.

The Seagulls trailed to Dominic Solanke’s opportunist strike but went in level at the interval thanks to Milos Kerkez’s own-goal.

Brighton coach De Zerbi, who had made nine changes to his starting lineup from Thursday’s Europe League defeat by AEK Athens, sent on Ansu Fati and Kaoru Mitoma at halftime.

And the pair had an instant impact, combining for an exquisite goal just 15 seconds into the second half, with Mitoma applying the finishing touch.

Japan winger Mitoma then wrapped up the victory with a late header to leave the Cherries still winless from their first six league matches.

High-flying Brighton is third — three points behind leader Manchester City — with five wins in six games.

ASTON VILLA 1, CHELSEA 0

In London, Aston Villa ramped up the pressure on Mauricio Pochettino by beating 10-man Chelsea 1-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea now has three losses and just one win under Pochettino in the league and went a man down in the 58th minute when Malo Gusto was shown a straight red card for a reckless tackle.

Villa took full advantage as Ollie Watkins scored the winner in the 73rd with a second effort after his initial shot was blocked.

Chelsea had been the dominant team until the sending off but once again were inefficient in the final third.

Villa nearly took the lead in spectacular fashion against the run of play in the 20th when a corner was only partially cleared, and the ball dropped out of the air to the waiting Lucas Digne who whacked an audacious looping volley from 35 yards that Robert Sanchez tipped over the bar.

Chelsea has not scored in the league since August but played through Villa with a confidence that belied their modest goal return of five under Pochettino.

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