Manchester United pulled off a stunning upset in London as Liverpool and Newcastle dropped points on a weekend that blew the Premier League title race wide open.
Here, Sport Just Sport writer Alex Rhodes breaks down the winners and losers from Matchday 23.
Manchester United: Winner
For the first time since October, Man United have won two games in a row, with interim boss Michael Carrick impressing.
After beating rivals Manchester City 2-0 last week, United’s momentum continued as they fought to win 3-2 against Arsenal at the Emirates.
Former United full-back Gary Neville praised the Red Devils, saying they “played with an intensity, energy and quality” that had been missing under Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim.
In particular, Carrick has utilised Kobbie Mainoo and Patrick Dorgu to much greater effect.
Mainoo has shown his quality playing a defensive midfield role while Dorgu, who has moved into midfield, has scored more goals in two games than in his previous 32 appearances.
This result promotes the Red Devils into fourth place and the automatic Champions League qualification places, one point ahead of Chelsea.
Arsenal: Loser
Arsenal’s advantage at the top has dwindled to four points after a third league defeat in a row.
Wayne Rooney, former United captain, blamed “panic” in the Gunners camp, saying Mikel Arteta “rushed those changes” when he rotated his attacking force by making a quadruple substitution early in the second half.
Arsenal’s struggles up front are evident, with leading men Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyökeres not scoring from open play in over 11 games and Noni Madueke failing to score in the league so far this season.
They next face an in-form Leeds United at Elland Road, where points dropped would hamper their chances of a first league title since the 2003/04 season.
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Manchester City: Winner
An uninspiring 2-0 win over Wolves has moved Man City to within four points of Arsenal.
First-half goals for Omar Marmoush and Antoine Semenyo sealed the victory for City, who were looking to return to winning ways after losing the Manchester derby last weekend.
Pep Guardiola’s activity in this transfer window may end up being pivotal in the title race.
In addition to Semenyo, City signed Crystal Palace captain Marc Guéhi, providing extra stability in defence for the Spaniard.
Momentum is with neither team in the title race, but Arsenal’s recent mistakes are allowing the Citizens a fighting chance.
Liverpool: Loser
A 95th-minute winner from Bournemouth’s Amine Adli saw Liverpool slump to sixth in the table amid uncertainty over Arne Slot’s future.
The Reds appeared to have rescued a fifth league draw in a row courtesy of a Dominik Szoboszlai free kick, but defensive errors from Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez gifted Bournemouth opportunities which were capitalised on.
Coming off the back of an intense 3-0 midweek victory over Marseille in the Champions League, Slot acknowledged: “A few of our players ran out of energy.”
The Reds have looked toothless in recent games, with Hugo Ekitike looking the only likely scoring option.
And with injuries across the pitch, Liverpool’s options are limited, and time is running out to secure a top-four finish.
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Nottingham Forest: Winner
After West Ham defeated Sunderland 3-1, the onus was on Nottingham Forest to respond away at Brentford. Defeat would have meant only two points separating them from the relegation zone.
Goals from Igor Jesus and Taiwo Awoniyi sealed a 2-0 victory to the delight of manager Sean Dyche, who said: “Seven points from three games is a good return, especially two away and a draw at home to the league leaders.”
Despite having only two shots on target and 33% possession, Forest were able to capitalise on the chances they had and held firm in defence, thwarting the lacklustre Brentford attack.
Forest will aim to keep this momentum against their next opponents, Crystal Palace, who are on the back foot after a 3-1 loss to Chelsea.
Sunderland: Loser
Their loss to West Ham means Sunderland haven’t won away from home in seven games, dropping them to 10th in the league, possibly 11th if Everton achieve a positive result against Leeds.
A 3-1 defeat to West Ham marks their seventh away game in a row without a win after what was an electric start to the season.
Black Cats captain, Granit Xhaka, missed the game through injury, with his absence noticeable. The team appeared disjointed as they stumbled to a loss in the capital.
Returning player Chemsdine Talibi admitted the team “paid” for lacking intensity and that “we need to get together to fight again”.
Sunderland are 13 points above the relegation zone in their first season in the top flight since 2017.
Although demotion is unlikely, they will look to return to the form they displayed at the beginning of the campaign against Burnley.
SportJustSport writers