City and Newcastle both held to draws

Manchester City and Newcastle both missed the chance to close the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal after they were held to draws.

Erling Haaland
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Second placed City were held to a 1-1 draw by strugglers Everton.

Erling Haaland made a positive start for Pep Guardiola’s men when he latched on to Riyad Mahrez’s pass to tap home his 21st league goal of the season.

After a number of stoppages early in the second half, with one taking over six minutes as the assistant referee’s communications headset was repaired, Demarai Gray levelled for the visitors.

The result left second-placed City four points behind Arsenal having played a game more, while Everton are 16th with 15 points.

Newcastle United were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Leeds United.

Looking for their seventh successive league win against Leeds, Newcastle struggled to create clear openings in the first half, New Zealand striker Chris Wood going closest for the hosts.

Wood was again presented with a golden chance early in the second half, but was thwarted by a fine save from Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier.

Newcastle stay third, two points behind City and two ahead of Manchester United.

In-form Marcus Rashford stepped off the bench to earn Manchester United a 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Ten Hag left the club’s top goalscorer on the bench from the start due to an “internal disciplinary issue”. Rashford was late for a team meeting.

Rashford came on for the second half to give United more cutting edge in attack, showing great strength and composure to hold off his marker and fire the winner 14 minutes from time.

Wolves are 19th.

Elsewhere Fulham are up to ninth after beating Southampton 2-1 and Crystal Palace beat Bournemouth 2-0.

Arsenal play Brighton later today.

-Reuters