Arsenal Go Five Points Clear at Top

Arsenal head into the World Cup break five points clear at the top of the Premier League after they beat Wolves 2-0 on Saturday, reports AFP.

Newcastle remain in third after inflicting Chelsea's third consecutive league defeat 1-0 at St. James' Park, while Tottenham scored twice in the final 10 minutes to win a 4-3 thriller against Leeds.

Arsenal took full advantage to set up an intriguing title battle when the Premier League returns from a six-week hiatus on Boxing Day.

Martin Odegaard led by example for the Gunners as the Norwegian fired home twice from close range in the second half.

New Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui was in the crowd before officially taking charge on Monday and has work to do in the second half of the season with Wanderers now bottom of the table.

Arsenal have not won the league since 2003/04 and have failed to even finish in the top four for the past six seasons.

A return to the Champions League next season appears a formality with Arteta's men 14 points clear of fifth-placed Manchester United.

And City's unexpected first home defeat since February to Brentford sets up an intriguing title battle when the Premier League returns after the World Cup on Boxing Day.

"We showed another kind of maturity today," said Arteta.

"In the first 20-30 minutes we struggled to break them down. We were much better in the second half and we had a bit more courage and took risks but also not allowing them to run."

Eight of Arsenal's starting line-up are now headed to Qatar as Arteta confirmed Granit Xhaka's early substitution was just down to illness for the Swiss midfielder.

"I'll touch wood and hope for the best," he added on whether the break could count against Arsenal.

"When everyone is back we'll assess where we are and go from there.

"I would train tomorrow but unfortunately they're not here.

"I wish those going to the World Cup the best and they will look after themselves. I hope they enjoy it because it doesn't get better than playing for your country."

Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs crash out of League Cup

Holders Liverpool survived a scare as they needed penalties to see off League One Derby after a 0-0 draw at Anfield

Manchester City's Algerian midfielder Riyad Mahrez scores his team's first goal during the English League Cup match against Chelsea Wednesday AFP

Manchester City increased the pressure on Graham Potter with a 2-0 win over Chelsea to progress to the last 16 of the League Cup on Wednesday as Arsenal and Tottenham crashed out.

The Gunners were beaten 3-1 at home by Brighton, while Spurs laboured to a 2-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest despite starting Harry Kane.

Holders Liverpool also survived a scare as they needed penalties to see off League One Derby after a 0-0 draw at Anfield.

City won the battle of two much-changed sides at the Etihad as two goals in five second-half minutes from Riyad Mahrez and Julian Alvarez put Pep Guardiola's men through to the next round.

Mahrez curled in a brilliant free-kick from the edge of the box to break the deadlock after a tight first 45 minutes.

Alvarez then made the most of another chance to start ahead of Erling Haaland by tapping in his third goal in as many games at the back post after Mahrez had been denied.

"Julian is an exceptional player," said Guardiola.

"Of course he has to fight against maybe the best striker in the world, Erling, but Julian is showing the many things he can do."

Arsenal are keeping City off the top of the Premier League, but will not be adding their first League Cup since 1993 after Brighton continued their impressive turnaround under Roberto De Zerbi.

Eddie Nketiah's fine finish put the hosts ahead at the Emirates but a slip from goalkeeper Karl Hein on his Arsenal debut gave Danny Welbeck the chance to level from the penalty spot against his old club.

Kaoru Mitoma's powerful finish turned the tie around before Tariq Lamptey slotted home 19 minutes from time.

"We are out, it is already done, and now we have to concentrate on the Premier League, which is the priority," said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.

England manager Gareth Southgate may have been dismayed by the sight of Kane starting at the City Ground the night before he names his World Cup squad.

The England captain did finally get a rest for the final half-hour, but only as Antonio Conte seemingly threw in the towel with his side 2-0 down.

Renan Lodi cut inside on to his weaker right foot to fire in a brilliant opener early in the second half before Jesse Lingard headed in his first goal for Forest.

Kelleher Liverpool's hero

Caoimhin Kelleher was Liverpool's hero as he was for much of last season's competition as the Reds' stand-in goalkeeper saved three Derby penalties.

Jurgen Klopp made 11 changes and it showed as a youthful side struggled to make their possession count.

Roberto Firmino and Darwin Nunez failed to find a winner after being introduced with 25 minutes to go and Firmino rounded off a bad week after being left out of the Brazil World Cup squad by blasting his penalty over the bar in the shootout.

But Kelleher, who scored the winning penalty in last year's final, made sure Liverpool progressed.

Newcastle also needed penalties to get past Crystal Palace after a 0-0 draw at St James' Park.

Nick Pope will be in Southgate's squad for Qatar and showed he can be called on if needed in a shootout by saving three of Palace's five spot-kicks.

Neither goalkeeper managed to save any of the 20 penalties at the London Stadium as Blackburn dumped out West Ham.

The tie was level at 2-2 after 90 minutes as Ben Brereton Diaz equalised two minutes from time for Rovers.

Blackburn converted their 10 penalties and were through when West Ham captain for the night Angelo Ogbonna hit the bar.

Boubacar Traore's strike five minutes from time gave Wolves a 1-0 win over Leeds.

Meanwhile, Southampton edged through on penalties over Sheffield Wednesday after a 1-1 draw in front of Nathan Jones, who is expected to be named the Saints' new manager on Thursday.