Star's stoppage-time blitz saves Reds; Gunners' title chances dealt ...

A Premier League juggernaut has extended its lead atop the table, while its main title challenger has been held at home in a shock result.

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Elsewhere, Newcastle’s winning streak has been snapped in comprehensive fashion in another surprise outcome.

REDS STEADY SHIP TO REIGNITE TITLE CHARGE

Darwin Nunez struck twice in the final minutes as Liverpool got their Premier League title charge back on track with a dramatic 2-0 win against Brentford on Saturday.

Arne Slot’s side were in danger of enduring a third successive league draw after wasting a host of chances at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Of all the candidates to end Liverpool’s wobble, Uruguay striker Nunez would have been low down the list given his struggles over the last two seasons.

But he rode to Liverpool’s rescue with a stoppage-time brace that lifted the Reds’ seven points clear of second-placed Arsenal.

The Gunners can close the gap back to four points with a win against Aston Villa in Saturday’s late game.

But Liverpool will hold a game in hand on Arsenal and have the destiny of the title still firmly in their grasp thanks to the much-maligned Nunez.

Slot had admitted he couldn’t find a way to get the best out of the former Benfica star earlier this week.

The 25-year-old had scored just four goals in 26 games in all competitions prior to his unexpected double in west London.

Slot will gratefully take Nunez’s contribution as Liverpool’s first win in three league games kept them on course for a first title since 2020.

Since the turn of the year, Liverpool had only won one game in four in all competitions, beating minnows Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup third round.

They had drawn their previous two league games against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest, while also losing 1-0 at Tottenham in the League Cup semi-final first leg, making this victory essential to steady their nerves.

Brentford kicked off with the joint-best home record in the Premier League, an impressive statistic they underlined by scoring twice in the closing stages to draw 2-2 with Manchester City on Tuesday.

GUNNERS COUGH UP 2-0 LEAD IN COSTLY DRAW

Liverpool now holds a six-point Premier League lead over Arsenal, who blew a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 against Aston Villa on Saturday.

Gabriel Martinelli gave the Gunners a deserved first-half lead when Emi Martinez failed to prevent his effort crossing the line.

It was a similar story for Arsenal’s second as Martinez got a touch to Kai Havertz’s shot but could not keep it out.

Just when Mikel Arteta’s men seemed to be cruising, Villa hit back through Youri Tielemans’ header.

The Belgian midfielder then hit the post with the chance to level for Villa seconds later.

The visitors did equalise 22 minutes from time when Ollie Watkins cushioned in Matty Cash’s cross off the underside of the crossbar.

Arsenal thought they had a late winner, but Mikel Merino’s effort deflected in off Havertz’s hand and the goal was ruled out by a VAR review.

CHERRIES STUNNER TO SNAP MAGPIES’ STREAK

Justin Kluivert’s stunning hat-trick snapped Newcastle’s winning streak in style as Bournemouth stormed into the Premier League’s top six with a rampant 4-1 win at St. James’ Park on Saturday.

The Magpies were looking to set a club record with a 10th consecutive victory in all competitions but were thoroughly outplayed by the Cherries, who are themselves now on an 11-game unbeaten streak.

Kluivert, son of former Newcastle striker Patrick Kluivert, was the star of the show before Milos Kerkez fired in a fourth in stoppage time.

Defeat leaves Newcastle still in fourth but now just one point clear of Bournemouth in the race for a place in next season’s Champions League.

Bournemouth have never qualified for European competition before and Kluivert said that is the goal for an ambitious squad.

“Why not dream big and let’s see where we can end up,” said the Dutch international.

“Our run is also beautiful and that’s what we showed here today; that we are here to make an impression.” Alexander Isak’s hopes of matching the Premier League record scoring streak of 11 matches also came to an end on a humbling afternoon for the Magpies.

The Swedish striker had struck in eight consecutive games but was barely given a sniff of a chance by a brilliant Bournemouth display.

Andoni Iraola’s men flew out of the traps and never let up to move above defending champions Manchester City in the table.

The visitors should have led inside four minutes when Dango Ouattara’s shot was saved by Martin Dubravka and Antoine Semenyo blasted the rebound over.

Bournemouth had to wait just two minutes more to take the lead when Semenyo’s cut-back was swept into the far corner by Kluivert.

Newcastle were shellshocked in the early stages but looked to have restored some order when Bruno Guimaraes headed in Lewis Hall’s corner.

Yet the home side headed in at half-time behind once more after another classy finish from Kluivert to turn in Ouattara’s pass.

Bournemouth should have been well out of sight before they did finally get the third goal in stoppage time.

Ouattara had a goal disallowed by a VAR review as the ball had gone out of play before the Burkina Faso international prodded home.

David Brooks’s inventive backheel was then denied by a combination of Dubravka and the post.

Bournemouth were robbed of a famous victory in midweek when Reece James’ stoppage time free-kick rescued a point for Chelsea in a 2-2 draw.

This time, though, they were not to be denied of three thoroughly deserved points.

Kluivert took aim from outside the box to complete his second hat-trick of the season.

However, all three efforts this time came from open play after his trio of penalties downed Wolves in November.

The impressive Kerkez, who has been linked with a move to Liverpool and Manchester United, then drilled in the fourth to rub salt into Newcastle wounds.