LONDON: Arsenal ensured it will end the year top of the Premier League after beating Aston Villa 4-1 at home in a powerful statement win with all goals scored in the second half.

The fourth goal, scored by substitute Gabriel Jesus one minute after coming on, highlighted the depth of Arsenal's bench this season and coach Mikel Arteta jubilantly high-fived his assistants at the final whistle.

Victory moved Arsenal five points ahead of Manchester City, which plays at Sunderland on New Year's Day, and six points clear of third-place Villa.
“It is a beautiful evening. That was a very tough match, as we knew it would be, because they are a top opponent to play against,” Arteta told broadcasters. “The way we started the second half was amazing, we really turned things up and were efficient in everything that we did.”

Arsenal has not won the Premier League since 2004 and the pressure is on Arteta to deliver.

“In 2026, we know what we want,” Arteta said.

Villa manager Unai Emery later defended his decision not to shake Arteta's hand at the end of the game by saying it was “cold” at the Emirates.
“Always my routine is to go to the opposition coach, shake hands and go inside,” the former Arsenal manager told the media. “If he is not following the same rule, I can't wait, it was cold.”

Midfielder Enzo Fernandez gave Chelsea the lead midway through the first half, but Chelsea gifted Bournemouth an equalizer when a defender headed on a throw-in from the left and Justin Kluivert scored at the back post for 2-2.

Chelsea is fifth and level on 30 points with United in sixth.

Poor defending costs Chelsea

Bournemouth's David Brooks netted early from close range after Chelsea failed to deal with a throw-in from the right.

Cole Palmer equalised in the 15th with a penalty awarded after a video review ruled that Antoine Semenyo's knee had gone into the back of forward Estevao's leg.

United held by Wolves

Manchester United led through Joshua Zirkzee's deflected strike in the 27th but Ladislav Krejci equalised close to halftime for Wolves with a powerful downward header.

It was Wolves manager Rob Edwards' first point since taking charge in November.

Patrick Dorgu's injury-time goal for United was ruled out for offside by VAR.
Boos at the final whistle by United fans contrasted with Wolves supporters' chants of “We've won a point.”