Joao Pedro's 'unusual' penalty saw Brighton draw 1-1 at home to Arsenal, handing the Gunners another blow in the Premier League title race – and yet more initiative for Liverpool.
Arsenal came into the match missing Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz with illness, while the illness spread to Martin Odegaard, who could only start the match on the bench.
However, Ethan Nwaneri stepped up in their absence, scoring an early opener in his second Premier League start, although he was replaced by Gabriel Martinelli at half-time.
Arsenal could have doubled their lead before half-time when Gabriel Jesus headed over a good chance from a corner, while Simon Adingra blasted over a promising opening to equalize at the other end.
Fabian Hurzeler brought on Georginio Rutter and Yankuba Minteh at half-time and that seemed to work, with Brighton having more of them up front.
It set up the big moment of the match, as Brighton's continued pressure led to William Saliba colliding with Pedro in the penalty area after the striker had just beaten him with a high ball.
Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot and left Mikel Arteta standing on the touchline in anger. VAR agreed with the decision as there was “sufficient contact for the penalty”, while Sky Sports' Alan Smith called it “unusual” during co-commentary.
Pedro tapped in the penalty and Brighton gained the upper hand. They could have secured victory when Minteh's cross almost found another Seagulls substitute Kaoru Mitoma at the far post, but the winger missed the tap by inches.
Arsenal had just one half-chance for Declan Rice from the edge of the box after Brighton's equalizer, plus two tame efforts from Thomas Partey and Leandro Trossard, raising more questions about their firepower in the January window.
Brighton remain tenth, but the result is detrimental to Arsenal, leaving the Gunners five points behind Liverpool, who have two games in hand. The first is a home game against Manchester United
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