LONDON, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Arsenal has the chance to strengthen its grip on the Premier League on Thursday after second-placed Manchester City and third-placed Aston Villa were both held to draws on Wednesday night.
City was held 1-1 at home to Brighton on a night when Pep Guardiola's side produced a flat display against a team that played better in the second half.
City struggled to break down Brighton's defense until Diego Gomez brought down Jeremy Doku, allowing Erling Haaland to score from the penalty spot five minutes before halftime.
Kaoru Mitoma levelled in style for Brighton after 60 minutes with a low shot beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma and into the far corner to deny City two vital points.
Villa played out a goalless draw at Crystal Palace, whose solid rearguard action limited the Villains to a handful of chances despite the visitors controlling possession.
Igor Thiago scored twice as Brentford won 3-0 at home to Sunderland, with his second coming moments after Enzo Le Fee saw a Panenka-style penalty saved by Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, who held his ground and simply caught the ball.
Yehor Yarmolyuk rubbed further salt in the wounds with Brentford's third to see Keith Andrews' side move up to fifth in the table.
Chelsea's miserable run continued with a 2-1 defeat away to local rival Fulham, who claimed a 2-1 win with second-half goals from Raul Jimenez and Harry Wilson, although Chelsea wasn't helped by Marc Cucurella's red card for pulling Wilson back when he was through on goal in just the 22nd minute.
Antoine Semenyo scored what could be his last goal for Bournemouth to give his side a 97th-minute win at home to Tottenham.
Spurs opened the scoring in the fifth minute through Mathys Tel, but Evanilson and Junior Kroupi scored to turn things around for Bournemouth.
Tottenham pressed hard after the break and was rewarded through Joao Palhinha, before Semenyo signed off with a shot from the edge of the area to give his side a big win.
Everton ended with nine men on the pitch after Michael Keane and Jack Grealish were shown late red cards in a 1-1 draw at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers, with Keane putting Everton ahead before Mateus Mane equalized for the bottom side.
Darren Fletcher's debut as interim Manchester United head coach following Ruben Amorim's sacking ended with a disappointing 2-2 draw away to struggling Burnley, and although Benjamin Sesko scored twice, United has now dropped points against all three sides in the relegation zone.
Newcastle United came from behind three times before Harvey Barnes scored a winner in the 12th minute of injury time in an incredible 4-3 win.
Brenden Aaronson struck twice for Leeds, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting a penalty, while Barnes and Joelinton scored for Newcastle before Bruno Guimaraes scored a 91st minute penalty, and Barnes then hit his late second after Leeds failed to clear a corner. ■
