Liverpool head coach Arne Slot criticised the decision to allow Manchester United's second goal in the Premier League clash after claims that Benjamin Sesko handled the ball, while the Professional Game Match Officials said there was no conclusive evidence of handball. Slot said, “The curve on the ball changed so there must have been a contact. But it’s no surprise to anyone that if there is a VAR intervention then the decision goes against us. It’s happened to us all season.” [1]
Liverpool's defeat owed more to a poor first half than to the disputed goal, with Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitiké and Alexander Isak all missing through injury. The loss added to a difficult period for the champions after a weekend that also brought sharp swings elsewhere in the league. [1]
At Arsenal, manager Mikel Arteta took a risk by starting 19-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield for the first time in a high-stakes home game against Fulham, and the gamble paid off with a strong display. Arteta answered questions about the selection by saying, “Because probably I don’t have a clue.” [1]
Newcastle also had a result to celebrate, beating Brighton 3-1 at home to end a five-game losing streak under Eddie Howe. Yasir al-Rumayyan, Newcastle's chair and governor of majority owner Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, joined the celebrations by playing with the ball and posing for a dressing-room photo with club directors and staff. [1]
The mood was less settled around Newcastle's £69 million record signing Nick Woltemade, who appeared disengaged and stared blankly in the team photo after the win. The Premier League weekend matches covered by the report were played between 2026-05-02 and 2026-05-03. [1]
