Mohamed Salah strikes late as Liverpool snatch draw at Arsenal

EPL WRAP: Liverpool were on the brink of only their second loss this season until Mohamed Salah netted with nine minutes left, while Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham crashed to Crystal Palace.

Mohamed Salah rescued Liverpool as the Egypt star’s late equaliser earned a pulsating 2-2 draw against title rivals Arsenal on Sunday.

Arne Slot’s side were on the brink of only their second defeat this season until Salah netted with nine minutes left at the Emirates Stadium.

Liverpool had fallen behind to Bukayo Saka’s early opener and, although Virgil van Dijk equalised, Mikel Merino put Arsenal back in front before half-time.

Salah’s eighth goal in 13 games in all competitions this season was aided by Arsenal’s latest rash of injuries, with defenders Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber both forced off in the second half.

Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring Liverpool's second goal. Picture: Getty Images

Manchester City were the real winners as the draw in north London ensured they finished the weekend on top of the Premier League.

Unbeaten City, who beat Southampton 1-0 on Saturday, are one point ahead of second-placed Liverpool, with third-placed Arsenal sitting five points adrift of top spot.

It was only the second time Liverpool had failed to win since Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp in the close-season, starting his Anfield reign with 12 victories from 13 games in all competitions.

Even so, Liverpool will be happier with the point after showing impressive resolve to twice come from behind against a fellow title contender.

Arsenal were left to lick their wounds after the defensive injuries that left them fatally exposed.

Mohamed Salah scores Liverpool's second goal at the Emirates Stadium. Picture: AFP

They were already without Riccardo Calafiori, sidelined by an injury suffered against Shakhtar Donetsk in midweek, while William Saliba served a suspension following his dismissal in last weekend’s loss at Bournemouth.

Mikel Arteta’s side have now gone two league games without a win, leaving them with only three victories in their last seven top-flight matches in a major setback to their hopes of a first title since 2004.

POSTECOGLOU SAYS SPURS OUT-BATTLED IN PALACE LOSS

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou said his side had lost too many battles as they slumped to a a 1-0 loss away to Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the only goal of the game just after the half-hour mark at Selhurst Park to seal Palace’s first Premier League win of the season.

Spurs defender Micky van de Ven was easily dispossessed deep in his own half before Daniel Munoz’s cross found Ebere Eze. He in turn set up Mateta, with the Frenchman on target with a low finish.

Defeat by one of their London rivals left Spurs eighth in the table, with Postecoglou’s men now having lost four of their nine league matches so far this term.

Ange Postecoglou reacts to Tottenham’s defeat. Picture: AFP

BEATEN MAN UTD ONLY LACKING GOOD FORTUNE, CLAIMS TEN HAG

Manchester United’s under-fire manager Erik ten Hag said he could only fault his side’s finishing after a damaging 2-1 defeat for the Dutchman at struggling West Ham on Sunday.

United slipped to 14th in the Premier League table after Jarrod Bowen’s controversial stoppage time penalty winner handed the Hammers all three points.

Crysencio Summerville put West Ham in front against the run of play 16 minutes from time before Casemiro equalised.

Ten Hag was furious at the award of the spot-kick after VAR intervened when Matthijs de Ligt clashed with Danny Ings inside the box.

Jarrod Bowen celebrates scoring the winner for West Ham. Picture: Getty Images

United captain Bruno Fernandes had a red card rescinded after being sent-off in a 3-0 defeat by Tottenham last month and Ten Hag highlighted the inconsistency of when VAR decides to challenge the referee’s on-field decision.

“Before the season they explained the process of VAR — only when (it is) clear and obvious they should interfere,” said Ten Hag.

“What they didn’t do against Spurs, that was a wrong decision. Now they make a wrong decision interfering and both have big impact on the games. I don’t criticise the personnel, I criticise the process.”

However, it was a familiar lack of wastefulness in front of goal that cost United a much-needed victory.

Diogo Dalot missed an open goal, while Alejandro Garnacho and Fernandes were also guilty of missing huge chances in a dominant first-half display.

“We created so many chances, played so good football, especially in the first half. How I want my team to play in and out of possession,” added Ten Hag.

“Six or seven 100 per cent chances we should have scored. That is a point of improvement. But overall I had not so many criticisms of my team, apart from not scoring.”

CHELSEA’S PALMER REMINDS MARESCA OF BLUES FAVOURITE ZOLA

Enzo Maresca compared Chelsea crowd-pleaser Cole Palmer to former Stamford Bridge star Gianfranco Zola after the England midfielder’s match-winning goal in a 2-1 victory at home to Newcastle.

Zola, 58 was among the crowd to watch his 22-year-old successor to the Blues’ No 10 shirt produce another impressive display which Palmer capped by scoring the decisive second-half goal that left Chelsea on the cusp of the top four.

Cole Palmer celebrates scoring Chelsea's second goal. Picture: Getty Images

He has now scored 19 goals in his last 15 home league appearances. But with Zola’s celebrated seven-year stint at Stamford Bridge ending in 2003, Palmer said he was only familiar with the Italian playmaker through video games.

“I don’t think Cole knows Gianfranco,” said Chelsea boss Maresca.

“They’re quite similar in terms of quality and seeing things the rest don’t see.

“The best thing from Cole is that he never changes. I had him at (Manchester) City (in the Under-23 team) and he’s exactly the same way.

“People come to the stadium to see a player like him. They pay to see that kind of player.”

Originally published as Mohamed Salah strikes late as Liverpool snatch draw at Arsenal