<p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><b>Bukayo Saka's double sent Arsenal back to the top of the Premier League after a 3-2 win over Liverpool on Sunday as Cristiano Ronaldo's 700th club goal helped Manchester United to a 2-1 win over Everton.</b></span><br></p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">The Gunners led three times at the Emirates as Gabriel Martinelli struck within a minute and Saka scored in first-half stoppage time.</span><br></p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Darwin Nunez and Roberto Firmino replied for Liverpool either side of half-time.</span><br></p><p style="text-align: justify; ">But Saka's penalty condemned Jurgen Klopp's men to defeat.</p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Liverpool are now 14 points adrift of the leaders after winning just two of their opening eight league games.</span><br></p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">"Liverpool were very efficient in the way they converted their chances, but we showed a lot of composure and character in difficult moments to overcome them," said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.</span><br></p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Worse could be to come for Liverpool as they face Manchester City at Anfield next weekend and lost Luis Diaz and Trent Alexander-Arnold to injuries.</span><br></p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">"We don't have to look yet at the table, but we know where we are," said Klopp. "We are not top. We have to sort it and we will."</span><br></p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Arsenal restored their one-point lead over City and further strengthened their case to be considered serious title contenders after beating Tottenham in the north London derby last weekend.</span><br></p><p style="text-align: justify; ">Arteta's men sped out of the blocks as Martinelli exposed the space in behind the under-fire Alexander-Arnold to sweep home the opener.</p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Liverpool responded well to falling behind as Klopp's brave selection of a front four paid off when Diaz squared for Nunez to score his first Premier League goal since the opening weekend of the season.</span><br></p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Just as the visitors seemed to be on top, Arsenal retook the lead as Martinelli's cross was tapped in at the back post by Saka.</span><br></p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Liverpool reacted again after the break when substitute Firmino produced a clinical finish across Aaron Ramsdale.</span><br></p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">But the decisive moment of an enthralling encounter came 14 minutes from time when Thiago Alcantara was harshly adjudged to have clipped Gabriel Jesus inside the area.</span><br></p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Saka slotted the ball into the bottom corner from the spot to spark jubilant scenes of celebration as Arsenal fans dream of a first league title since 2004.</span><br></p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><b>- Super sub Ronaldo –</b></span><br></p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Ronaldo has had to get used to life on the bench under Erik ten Hag but a first half injury to Anthony Martial gave the five-time Ballon d'Or winner the chance to reach another incredible goalscoring landmark.</span><br></p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">United trailed after just five minutes at Goodison Park as Alex Iwobi curled into the top corner.</span><br></p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">But the Red Devils struck back quickly through Antony's third goal in as many Premier League games.</span><br></p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Ronaldo then latched onto Casemiro's pass to fire low past Jordan Pickford and move United up to fifth in the table.</span><br></p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Earlier, Gianluca Scamacca's delightful chip helped West Ham strike back from a goal down to beat Fulham 3-1.</span><br></p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Fulham were without talisman Aleksandar Mitrovic through injury but went in front after just five minutes when Andreas Pereira smashed in from a narrow angle.</span><br></p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Jarrod Bowen levelled from the penalty spot before half-time after Pereira brought down Craig Dawson in the box.</span><br></p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Scamacca then produced a moment of magic as he lofted Lucas Paqueta's pass over the helpless Bernd Leno for his sixth goal in 10 games.</span><br></p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Michail Antonio came off the bench to secure the three points in stoppage time.</span><br></p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Crystal Palace also came from behind to beat Leeds 2-1 thanks to Eberechi Eze's winner 14 minutes from time. AFP</span><br></p><p style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">bnbd24/kh</span><br></p>