Premier League Recap: Comeback Wins for Arsenal and Villa

Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal staged a dramatic late turnaround to defeat Newcastle United 2-1 at St James’ Park, earning a crucial three points and ending their run of defeats at the ground.

Nick Pope and David Raya, two of the Premier League’s standout goalkeepers this season, were called into action early. Pope denied Eberechi Eze in the fifth minute, while Raya handled Malick Thiaw’s header with ease. Arsenal almost struck first when Leandro Trossard’s effort hit the post, but it was Newcastle who went ahead in the 35th minute. Sandro Tonali’s short corner was whipped in for Nick Woltemade, who rose above Gabriel Magalhães to head home.

Arsenal pressed hard after the restart, with Pope pulling off another superb stop from Jurriën Timber. Declan Rice was equally vital at the other end, blocking Jacob Murphy’s goal-bound shot. Newcastle’s resistance faltered late on, however. In the 81st minute, Rice’s cross was met by Mikel Merino, who headed in off the post to level. Then, deep into stoppage time, Gabriel rose highest to nod home Martin Ødegaard’s corner, sparking wild celebrations as Arsenal closed the gap to Liverpool at the top.

The result marked Newcastle’s second league defeat of the season and a significant statement of intent from Mikel Arteta’s side.

Aston Villa 3-1 Fulham

Aston Villa came from behind to secure their first Premier League win of the season, beating Fulham 3-1 at Villa Park and recording a sixth consecutive victory in this fixture.

Fulham struck first inside three minutes when Raúl Jiménez glanced in Saša Lukić’s corner, though he was forced off injured immediately after. Villa gradually grew into the contest and found an equaliser before the break as Ollie Watkins ended his seven-game drought with a clever lob over Bernd Leno, latching onto Lucas Digne’s pinpoint pass.

Four minutes after half-time, John McGinn made amends for an earlier miss by firing a superb left-footed strike into the bottom corner. Just two minutes later, Emiliano Buendía added a third from close range after being set up by Watkins. Fulham almost pulled one back when Lukić profited from a Martínez error, but Ezri Konsa’s goalline clearance preserved Villa’s two-goal cushion.

The victory was much-needed for Unai Emery’s side, while Marco Silva’s Fulham suffered their second defeat of the season.