Arsenal reduced Liverpool's lead at the top of the English Premier League to two points after a deserved victory in a tense encounter at Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners knew defeat was unthinkable and their cause was helped hugely by Liverpool's normally reliable keeper Alisson enduring a nightmare as two errors gifted Arsenal the goals that ensured three crucial points.

It sparked joyous scenes at the final whistle as Arsenal condemned Liverpool to only their second league defeat this season, their first since a highly controversial loss at Tottenham in late September.

Arsenal were rewarded for a lightning start when Bukayo Saka gave them a 14th-minute lead, turning home a rebound after Alisson saved from Kai Havertz.

A defensive shambles allowed Liverpool to restore parity seconds before the break, Gabriel turning the ball into his own net via his hand after a mix-up between keeper David Raya and William Saliba as they challenged Luis Diaz.

Liverpool carried more momentum after the interval with Alexis Mac Allister going close twice before the Gunners were the next beneficiaries of a calamitous mix-up, this time between Alisson and Virgil van Dijk, that saw them restore their lead after 67 minutes.

Alisson rushed from his goal and kicked fresh air as Van Dijk tried to deal with a long clearance, leaving Gabriel Martinelli with the simplest of finishes into an empty net.

And Liverpool's misery was compounded in the closing stages when defender Ibrahima Konate was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Havertz before substitute Leandro Trossard added a third in stoppage time, Alisson once again badly at fault as he allowed a routine shot through his legs at the near post.

United cruise

Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho netted twice after Rasmus Hojlund scored on his 21st birthday as the Old Trafford side beat West Ham United 3-0 to climb above the visitors into sixth place.

On the heels of a 4-3 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Thursday, Erik ten Hag’s team now have 38 points after 23 games, eight adrift of fourth spot. The Hammers are seventh with 36.

Hojlund scored in the 23rd minute when Casemiro prodded the ball forward after West Ham failed to clear a high ball. The Dane knocked the ball past a couple of defenders before firing home into the bottom corner.

The one damper on the day was the loss of defender Lisandro Martinez to an apparent knee injury in just his fourth game back after having foot surgery.

With inputs from Reuters