EPL: ARSENAL 0-0 MIDDLESBROUGH, LIVERPOOL2 -1 WEST BROM, LEICESTER 3-1 PALACE, OTHERS

Arsenal vs. Middlesbrough:  0-0

Arsenal went top of the Premier League despite being held to a 0-0 draw by Middlesbrough at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. The Gunners moved above Manchester City, but the limp stalemate will no doubt have soured manager Arsene Wenger's 67th birthday celebrations.

Yet Wenger should also feel grateful to goalkeeper Petr Cech for the point, after the former Chelsea man made a string of fine saves, particularly in the first half, to keep Boro at bay.

Even when Arsenal eventually put the ball in the net, Mesut Ozil's effort was correctly ruled out for offside in stoppage time on a frustrating day.
 The newly promoted visitors sat deep and defended in numbers from the off, but Arsenal lacked the inspiration going forward to break them down. It's just the second time this season Wenger's team has failed to score.

Wenger rotated in midfield, where Granit Xhaka was suspended and Santi Cazorla not fit enough to start. Instead, Mohamed Elneny partnered Francis Coquelin in a functional yet not particularly forward-thinking duo, per Arsenal:

Liverpool vs. West Brom,

With Macaulay's West Bromwich goal, Liverpool narrowly missed out on top spot in the Premier League despite beating West Bromwich Albion 2-1 at Anfield on Saturday.

Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho both scored as part of a superb first-half display, but Gareth McAuley's close-range finish meant the Anfield club had to settle for second place in the table on goal difference.

His goal prevented Liverpool from leapfrogging Arsenal into first place, after the Gunners had gone top earlier, despite slipping to a 0-0 home draw with Middlesbrough.

Reds manager Jurgen Klopp brought Adam Lallana back into the starting XI, after the England playmaker had started on the bench for the recent 0-0 draw with Manchester United. He came in for striker Daniel Sturridge, who dropped out to let Roberto Firmino move back through the middle, per Liverpool:

Leicester 3 -- Palace 1

Musa (42' minutes), Okazaki (63' minutes), Fuchs (80' minutes) scored for Leicester, while Cabaye scored  (85' minutes)  Palace lone goal.

Leicester stretched their unbeaten home run to 20 league games as the Foxes followed up their midweek Champions League win with victory over Crystal Palace.

Record signing Ahmed Musa scored his first goal for the club, while Shinji Okazaki and Christian Fuchs struck after the break - the latter's effort a superb volley - to secure a convincing win.

Yohan Cabaye scored a consolation for the Londoners and Palace pressurised the hosts in the final five minutes as they attempted an unlikely comeback.

But it was too late against a Leicester side who showed something of the form that won them the title last season, even without England striker Jamie Vardy in the starting line-up.

Vardy, who played in the 1-0 win over Copenhagen and has not scored in eight games, was rested with manager Claudio Ranieri saying he needed to rotate his players as they juggles European and league commitments.

The Italian's decision was justified as Okazaki added guile to the Leicester attack, while Islam Slimani was a menacing presence up front.

OTHER ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH RESULTS;

Saturday, October 22

Hull City  0           |       Stoke City 2

Swansea City 0    |    Watford 0

Burnley FC 2       |        Everton 1

Liverpool  2         |       West Brom 1




Sunday, October 23 Fixtures

Man. City        VS    Southampton

Chelsea.             VS       Man United