The race for the Premier League title intensified on Sunday as Arsenal capitalised on Manchester City’s recent slip, securing a gritty 2-1 victory over ten-man Chelsea. The win restores a five-point cushion at the summit for Mikel Arteta’s side. Meanwhile, at Old Trafford, the “Michael Carrick era” continues to go from strength to strength, as Manchester United climbed to third in the table with a hard-fought win over Crystal Palace.
Arsenal’s Set-Piece Supremacy
The North Londoners once again demonstrated why they are considered the most lethal side in Europe from dead-ball situations. The opening goal arrived in the 21st minute when William Saliba reacted quickest to a flick-on from Gabriel Magalhães following a corner.
Chelsea managed to claw their way back into the contest through a stroke of fortune. A fizzing cross from Reece James was inadvertently diverted into his own net by Arsenal defender Piero Hincapié, momentarily silencing the Emirates Stadium. However, parity did not last long. In the second half, a trademark Declan Rice delivery caused chaos in the Chelsea box; goalkeeper Robert Sánchez failed to claim the ball, allowing Jurrien Timber to prod home the winner.
This goal marked Arsenal’s 16th successful strike from a corner this season, equalling the all-time Premier League record for goals from such situations in a single campaign. Chelsea’s afternoon went from bad to worse in the closing stages when Pedro Neto was shown a straight red card—the ninth dismissal for a Chelsea player this term.
The Carrick Revolution at Old Trafford
Manchester United’s resurgence under Michael Carrick reached a new peak on Sunday. Despite falling behind to an early Maxence Lacroix strike for Crystal Palace, the Red Devils showed the tactical maturity that has come to define Carrick’s tenure.
The momentum shifted when Lacroix went from hero to villain, receiving a red card for a desperate challenge in the box. Bruno Fernandes clinicaly dispatched the resulting penalty to level the scores. The captain then turned provider, swinging in a sublime cross for Benjamin Šeško, who thundered home a header to seal the 2-1 victory. Šeško, returning to the starting XI after seven matches, has now netted seven goals in his last eight appearances.
Table: Premier League Top Four Standings (2 March 2026)
| Position | Club | Games Played | Points | Form (Last 5) |
| 1st | Arsenal | 27 | 65 | W-W-D-W-W |
| 2nd | Manchester City | 27 | 60 | L-W-W-D-L |
| 3rd | Manchester United | 27 | 54 | W-W-W-W-D |
| 4th | Liverpool | 26 | 52 | W-L-D-W-W |
Analysis: A Shift in Momentum
With 19 points secured from a possible 21 under Michael Carrick, United are arguably the most in-form team in the country. However, Arsenal’s five-point lead over City suggests that the trophy is currently Arteta’s to lose, provided their defensive unit—led by Saliba and Timber—remains as resolute as it appeared against the Blues.