WEST Ham prevented Arsenal from going to the top of the English Premier League table tonight with a stunning 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium while Brighton withstood a late rally from Tottenham Hotspur to win 4-2 at the Amex Stadium.
Arsenal were the overwhelming favourites to beat the visiting Hammers in one the last Premier League matchdays of 2023 but Mikel Arteta’s side ended being lucky not to lose even more heavily.
Tomas Soucek gave West Ham the lead controversially in the 13th minute when he turned in Jarrod Bowen’s pass from inside the Arsenal box.
It took some time before the goal was given though as there was a suspicion that the ball might have been out of the goalline before Bowen crossed it.
After several reviews from different angles did not provide conclusive evidence, the goal stood and West Ham took a surprise lead.
Arsenal then had a large proportion of the ball for the rest of the first half but they were unable to break down West Ham’s resolute defence before the break.
There was more shock awaiting Arsenal after the break as their former defender
Konstantinos Mavropanos struck 10 minutes into the second half to leave the Gunners staring at a second Premier League defeat in December, after the 1-0 loss at Aston Villa.
It would have been worse for the Gunners as West Ham were awarded a late penalty for Declan Rice’s foul but Said Benrahma failed to convert.
West Ham manager David Moyes earned his first-ever away win against Arsenal in all competitions, on what was his 23rd attempt.
Also, according to Opta statistics, Arsenal had 77 touches in the opposition box against West Ham; the most on record (since 2008/2009) in a single Premier League match for a team who failed to score.
Arsenal are second in the standings, two points behind leaders Liverpool, while West Ham moved above Manchester United to sixth spot.
Earlier in the night, the other North London club Spurs also suffered defeat, going down 4-2 at Brighton.
The ruthless hosts raced to a 4-0 lead with two penalties from Joao Pedro and strikes from Jack Hinshelwood and Pervis Estupiñán before Alejo Véliz and Ben Davies pulled two late goals back.
Brighton rose to eighth while Spurs stayed in fifth place, six points behind Liverpool.
