Arsenal keep alive faint title hopes

Arsenal defeated London rivals Chelsea 1-0 for their first win in four Premier League games as a headed goal by stand-in striker Mikel Merino boosted their faint hopes of catching up with runaway leaders Liverpool. Merino scored in the 20th minute when he stooped to flick his looping header over Robert Sanchez in

the Chelsea goal after a Martin Odegaard corner.

The Spanish midfielder, who has led Arsenal’s attack in the absence of injured colleagues in recent weeks, came close to a second goal in the 60th minute but his side-footed volley was kept out by a fine save by Sanchez.

Chelsea were also missing firepower up front with top scorer Cole Palmer absent through injury while centre forward Nicolas Jackson remains sidelined.

Newcastle beat Reds to win League Cup

Newcastle United ended a 70-year domestic trophy drought as they beat Liverpool 2-1 to win the League Cup with goals in each half by Dan Burn and Alexander Isak sparking a Geordie party at Wembley Stadium. Local hero Burn gave Newcastle a deserved lead in the 45th minute. Roared on by a sea of fans clad in black and white, Newcastle took complete control of the match seven minutes after the break when Swedish forward Isak swept a shot past Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.