London.- It seems that Arsenal is increasingly the team to beat this season in the English Premier League.
It also appears that Liverpool do not have what it takes to challenge for another title.
Arsenal won its seventh game in eight games by beating Tottenham 3-1 in the London derby and secured top spot for at least another week.
Gabriel Jesus capitalized on a Spurs defensive lapse to make it 2-1 early in the second half, and then Emerson Royal was shown a straight red for going with the spike blocks against Gabriel Martinelli in the 62nd minute.
Granit Xhaka quickly capitalized on the numerical advantage to increase the score to 3-1 and snap Tottenham’s 13-game unbeaten run.
Arsenal is four points ahead of Manchester City, which can close the gap on Sunday by beating Manchester United in the local derby.
Arsenal suffered their only loss to Manchester United, despite dominating long stretches of the match at Old Trafford.
It then seems perfectly within reach for Arsenal to finish in the top four and qualify for the Champions League for the first time since the 2016-2017 season.
Reaching the top four could be Liverpool’s biggest aspiration as they draw 3-3 at home against a vivacious Brighton already responding to the bold style of their Italian manager Roberto De Zerbi.
Leandro Trossard scored twice before 17 minutes and completed his hat trick in the 83rd at Anfield after a brace from Roberto Firmino started Liverpool’s reaction.
Liverpool, champion in 2020 and the main rival of the dominant Manchester City in recent years, is 11 points behind Arsenal and has won just two games in seven dates.
Conor Gallagher scored in the 90th minute for Chelsea, who beat Crystal Palace 2-1.
Newcastle beat Fulham 4-1, Everton 2-1 at Southampton, and Bournemouth drew 0-0 with Brentford.