Haaland Brace, Salah Magic: Premier League Drama Live on a Wild Night
23.01.2026 - 23:51:07
Premier League Live: Haaland Brace, Salah Masterclass, and Late Drama
Let's start in England, because that's where the title race just went into overdrive. At the Etihad, Manchester City kept their foot on everyone's throat with a 3-1 win over a stubborn Newcastle United, and of course it was Erling Haaland right in the thick of it.
City went ahead early when Kevin De Bruyne slipped a disgusting through ball into space, and Haaland did what Haaland does – one touch, low finish across the keeper for 1-0. Newcastle hit back with a bullet header from Alexander Isak, rising between the centre-backs to level it at 1-1. But just when it felt like the Magpies might steal something, City’s big guns blew it open again.
De Bruyne found space on the edge of the box, played a slick one-two with Phil Foden, and then smashed a right-footed strike into the top corner for 2-1. Haaland wrapped it up late, bullying his defender, cutting inside and drilling another into the bottom corner for his brace and the 3-1 cushion. The Norwegian was unplayable – movement, power, finishing – proper monster performance.
At Anfield, Liverpool turned on the style with a 2-0 win over Chelsea, and you already know who stole the headlines: Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian king opened the scoring after a slick move involving Dominik Szoboszlai and Darwin Núñez. Núñez slid a pass into the right channel, Salah cut inside onto that left foot and curled it past the keeper into the far side netting. Classic Salah, classic Anfield roar.
The second goal was all about chaos. A corner wasn't cleared, the ball bounced around the box, and Virgil van Dijk reacted fastest, stabbing it home from close range for 2-0. Chelsea tried to respond through Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling, but they couldn't break down a disciplined back line – and when Palmer thought he'd pulled one back, VAR chalked it off for a razor-thin offside on the buildup. Stamford Bridge fans won't love that replay.
VAR Chaos & Last-Minute Heartbreak in the Top-Four Race
If you're talking drama, you have to talk about Arsenal vs Tottenham in a North London showdown that had absolutely everything. Arsenal led 1-0 thanks to a low strike from Bukayo Saka, who cut in from the right and bent one into the corner, sending the Emirates wild. Spurs equalised with a slick counter: Son Heung-min finished off a rapid break, slotting underneath the keeper for 1-1.
Then came the moment everyone is screaming about online. Deep into the second half, Arsenal thought they'd won it when Gabriel Jesus headed in from a corner. The stadium exploded – only for VAR to step in, check a block by William Saliba on his marker, and rule it as a foul. Goal disallowed. You could almost feel the rage through the TV.
To make it worse for the Gunners, Spurs nicked it late. In stoppage time, a long ball found Son again, and he squared unselfishly for James Maddison to tap into an empty net for 2-1. Absolute smash-and-grab. Arsenal's stars looked stunned – Saka had faded, and Jesus couldn't find that extra spark after the disallowed goal – while Son and Maddison were cool as ice in the big moments.
Stars Under the Spotlight: Heroes & Flops
Let's talk names. Erling Haaland was straight-up ruthless – two goals, constant movement, bullying centre-backs for fun. If you're checking top scorers today, he's absolutely at the top of the conversation. Kevin De Bruyne looked close to his best again, pulling strings, dictating tempo, and chipping in with both a goal and an assist.
For Liverpool, Mo Salah was pure class. One goal, several dangerous runs, and that aura that just panics defenders. Núñez might not have scored, but his pressing and link-up play kept Chelsea pinned back. Over on Chelsea's side, Enzo Fernández and Palmer had flashes, but nowhere near enough impact in a game this big.
In North London, Son Heung-min was ice-cold in key moments – a goal, an assist, and relentless work rate. James Maddison delivered when it mattered most with the winner, but Arsenal's big names will be hurting. Saka got his goal but faded, Jesus had a huge header ruled out, and you could see the frustration boiling over on their faces after the VAR call.
What This Does to the Football League Table
The ripple effect on the football league table is massive. Manchester City stay in control of the title race with their win, Liverpool keep the pressure cranked up, and Arsenal's late collapse hands a huge boost to both City and Spurs.
City's win stretches their gap at the top, Liverpool stay locked in just behind them, and Spurs jump right back into the Champions League spots conversation with that dramatic late winner. Arsenal, meanwhile, slide down a spot, and suddenly every dropped point feels like a punch in the gut for their title hopes.
What does this mean for the title race? Click here for the live standings
Champions League News: Momentum Shifts
These results also ripple into the Champions League news storyline. City and Liverpool look like they're peaking at the right time ahead of the knockout rounds, with Haaland and Salah both in lethal form. Spurs' late win gives them a huge psychological boost in their push to secure a Champions League spot for next season, while Arsenal's wobble raises fresh questions about their mentality in pressure moments.
If you're tracking soccer news across Europe, all eyes are now on whether these domestic performances carry into continental nights, especially for teams like City who are desperate to turn domestic dominance into European glory.
The Internet is Exploding: 3 Social Media Highlights
X Discussion: Fans raging over that late VAR call in the North London derby
My Take: This Arsenal Collapse Changes Everything
Here's the thing: City and Liverpool taking care of business wasn't a surprise. Haaland scoring twice? Feels almost normal at this point. Salah putting on a show under the lights? Standard. But Arsenal throwing away a home lead and then getting stung by VAR and a stoppage-time winner – that's the kind of night that can define a season.
In my opinion, Arsenal's game management just wasn't good enough. After going 1-0 up, they let Spurs grow back into the game, and once that goal was ruled out by VAR, they completely lost control emotionally. Meanwhile, Spurs stayed calm, trusted Son and Maddison to produce one moment of quality, and that's exactly what happened.
On the other side, City feel inevitable right now. Haaland and De Bruyne look locked in, and if they keep this level, everyone else is basically playing catch-up. Liverpool are the one team that look capable of going punch-for-punch, especially with Salah in this kind of mood, but they can't afford many slip-ups if City keep winning like this.
Closing Whistle: Title Race on a Knife Edge
So, to wrap it up: today's football results today have thrown fresh fuel onto an already wild season. City dominant, Liverpool relentless, Arsenal wobbling, Spurs alive and kicking – and social media completely melting down over VAR, again.
If you want the bigger picture – who's top, who's chasing, who's in trouble – you absolutely have to keep an eye on the live table.
Check full stats & standings now
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