Arsenal win 1-0 at Liverpool as Havertz goal restores Premier League lead

Arsenal won 1-0 at Liverpool on Sunday, with Havertz scoring in the 16th minute at Anfield to secure top spot in the Premier League. This marked the Gunners' first win at Liverpool in 14 years, and made it four consecutive league wins. Arsenal now lead the Premier League table with 24 points from 9 matches, while Liverpool drop to fifth on 15 points from the same number of games. Both Liverpool and Arsenal have Champions League fixtures on 4 November.

How did Havertz's goal decide Liverpool v Arsenal?

Havertz scored in the 16th minute and Arsenal protected that 1-0 lead at Anfield, according to GOAL, which reported that the result returned Arsenal to top spot. Sky Sports reported that Liverpool did not register a shot on target, citing Opta data that began in 2003.

At the other end, Sky Sports added that Merson noted Raya made no save for Arsenal on Sunday. ESPN's analysis said Arsenal's defence held firm against the Reds' expensive attack, a performance that delivered their first win at Anfield since 2012.

Where does the result leave Arsenal and Liverpool in the Premier League table?

Arsenal sit first in the Premier League with 24 points, having won 8 and lost 1 of their 9 matches, with a goal difference of +9. Sky Sports reported that Arsenal are three points clear at the top, while GOAL named Man City and Brighton as Arsenal's nearest challengers.

Liverpool are fifth on 15 points from 9 matches, with 4 wins, 3 draws, 2 defeats and a goal difference of +2. According to GOAL, Liverpool fell behind Chelsea after their second league defeat of the season.

What happened in the 79th-minute flashpoint involving Mac Allister?

In the 79th minute, Mac Allister slapped Ödegaard's head and tempers flared as players converged, according to GOAL. The outlet reported that Timber and Madueke squared up to Mac Allister, and that contact from Madueke sent him to the ground.

Referee Andrew Madley cautioned Mac Allister and Timber, while Madueke, already booked, avoided another card, GOAL said. VAR Stuart Attwell ruled the contact neither violent nor brutal and did not recommend a red. Neville, on Sky Sports, criticised Mac Allister for striking Ödegaard beforehand.

Should Isak have had a penalty against Arsenal?

GOAL reported that Isak was denied a penalty in the first half after Timber tugged his shirt, and that former referees' chief Keith Hackett judged the decision to be wrong. Iraola said Isak would have won the penalty had he gone down.

ESPN presented the defeat as one Iraola's side can learn from, pointing to Liverpool's intensity and effort. Arsenal had lost 3-0 at Brighton the previous month, according to Sky Sports, whose coverage also stated that Arsenal had signed Bruno Guimaraes.

The numbers at Scorely

Data source: ESPN; calculation and table by Scorely.