Thursday’s briefing: Arsenal extend advantage as Man City held

Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League after edging to a 1-0 win over Brighton and move seven points clear of Manchester City, while Michael Carrick slipped to his first defeat as interim Manchester United boss.

US President Donald Trump has said he does not care if Iran participate at the upcoming World Cup and Manchester United youngster Jack Fletcher has apologised for using a homophobic slur.

Title race twists again

The Premier League title race took another turn as Arsenal moved seven points clear of Manchester City at the summit.

Bukayo Saka’s first-half goal was enough to scrape a 1-0 win over Brighton at the Amex Stadium as they secured their third league win in a row and puts more distance between themselves and City.

Pep Guardiola’s side were frustrated as relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest twice came from behind to rescue a 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium and takes City’s total number of points dropped from winning positions this season to 13.

Guardiola said afterwards: “Maybe it’s a lot. But there are games where we don’t deserve it. Today we played in general good for 90 minutes…

“It’s not about this action or that action. In general when we analyse the game the game was well played.

“In the end we created a lot against a team that is really defensive, a really good time. We were dynamic. We missed maybe more contact with Erling (Haaland), his incredible movements, we have to look for him a bit more, but in general it was well played.”

Carrick falls to first defeat

Michael Carrick suffered defeat for the first time in his interim reign as Manchester United boss after Will Osula came off the bench to secure a dramatic 2-1 victory for 10-man Newcastle.

An entertaining clash at St James’ Park saw the 22-year-old Dane strike in the 90th minute to end both Carrick’s eight-game unbeaten run and the Magpies’ return of three successive Premier League defeats.

The Magpies were reduced to 10 when Jacob Ramsey was sent off for a second bookable offence and sparked a a frenzied conclusion to the first half, where Anthony Gordon opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Casemiro levelled.

Osula then found the winner at the death, running on to Kieran Trippier’s ball down the line before cutting inside Tyler Malacia and curling an unstoppable shot past Senne Lammens.

Trump speaks on Iran’s participation at the World Cup

Donald Trump has said he does not care if Iran participate in this summer’s World Cup.

The United States and Israel began attacking targets in the country on Saturday, with the conflict in the Middle East since spreading to the wider region.

Iran have qualified for the finals of the World Cup, which will take place in the US, Canada and Mexico in June and July, but their presence is now potentially in doubt.

US President Trump told Politico: “I really don’t care. I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They’re running on fumes.”

Jack Fletcher apologises for using a homophobic slur

Manchester United youngster Jack Fletcher has apologised for using a homophobic slur during an EFL Trophy match after being handed a six-game ban.

The 18-year-old, who is the son of former United midfielder and current coach Darren Fletcher, was sent off in the incident, which occurred in a clash against Barnsley in October and a regulatory commission hearing deciding he had used it as an insult.

The teenager said on manutd.com: “I am truly sorry for the offensive word that I used in the heat of the moment.

“Despite the fact that I had no intention to use the term as a homophobic insult, I completely understand that such language is unacceptable and immediately apologised after the game.

“I want to be clear that this momentary lapse of character absolutely does not reflect my beliefs or values.”

What’s on today?

Tottenham will be looking for their first Premier League win of 2026 when they host Crystal Palace.

Thursday also sees managers speaking ahead of this weekend’s round of FA Cup ties, including Arne Slot ahead of Liverpool’s meeting with Wolves on Friday.