Liverpool players celebrate after Liverpool's Mohamed Salah scored his side's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England, March 31, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

LONDON - Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League on Sunday after rallying to beat Brighton 2-1 at home, while Manchester City and Arsenal drew 0-0.

Liverpool was forced to come back from behind after Danny Welbeck's goal for Brighton at Anfield, with Luis Diaz scoring from close range following a corner in the 27th minute.

Mohamed Salah made his first start for Liverpool since the start of 2024 and missed several chances, but he was on target in the 65th minute to finish confidently after Alexis Mac Allister sent him through on goal.

The game at Anfield set up the clash between Manchester City and Arsenal perfectly, but the clash in the Etihad Stadium was a big letdown as the two drew 0-0.

Manchester City had the best chances, but with Erling Haaland missing the best of them against a rival that seemed happy with a draw, they failed to score in a home league game for the first time since October 2021.

Manchester City's Jeremy Doku (top) duels for the ball with Arsenal's Leandro Trossard during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad stadium in Manchester, England,  March 31, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal, in the hunt for their first league title in 20 years, are second in the table on 65 points with nine games remaining, while City are third with 64. Liverpool, on 67 points, claimed the lead with their 2-1 comeback victory over Brighton & Hove Albion earlier on Sunday.

"No way can you be fully happy (with just a point)," Arteta told Sky Sports. "Listen, I think we have made a big step today. Coming to these big places not a lot of teams have done what we have done today, especially when there is a lot at stake and the pressure elevates. To respond to it is another step."

The match failed to live up to its billing as a battle of titans. City dominated possession with 72.2 percent and came at Arsenal in waves.

On Saturday, there was late drama as Brentford and Manchester United drew 1-1. Mason Mount scored his first goal for United in the 96th minute, but Kristoffer Ajer smashed home two minutes later to give Brentford a vital point after they had hit the woodwork four times.

Aston Villa remains fourth after a 2-0 home win over Wolverhampton in the Midlands derby, with goals from Moussa Diaby and Ezri Konsa.

Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes, (center) and West Ham United's Jarrod Bowen battle for the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Newcastle United and West Ham at St. James' Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, England, March 30, 2024. (PA VIA AP)

Newcastle United scored three goals in 13 minutes to come back from 3-1 down at home to beat West Ham 4-3.

Alexander Isak put Newcastle ahead from the penalty spot in the sixth minute after a foul on Anthony Gordon, but West Ham then took control, with Michail Antonio, Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen making it 3-1.

Another foul on Gordon allowed Isak to net his second penalty in the 77th minute and Newcastle was on the front foot with Harvey Barnes scoring twice in the 83rd and 90th minute to turn the game on its head.

Luton Town slipped back into the bottom three as Tottenham came back from a goal down to win 2-1.

Tahith Chong swept Luton ahead after three minutes into the game, but on 51 minutes, Issa Kabore inexplicably turned the ball into his own net and Luton's bad luck struck again in the 86th minute when Son Heung-min's shot took a deflection to give Tottenham three points.

Striker Chris Wood scored a pinpoint header to save a point for Nottingham Forest at home to Crystal Palace and lift them above Luton. Wood's header cancelled out Jean-Philippe Mateta's 11th minute opener for Palace.

Cole Palmer scored twice for Chelsea, but couldn't stop Burnley taking a point from their visit to play Chelsea after Lorenz Assignon was sent off in the 40th minute.

Josh Cullen scored for Burnley in the 47th minute and Dara O'Shea's 83rd minute goal saved a vital point for the visitors.

A scissor kick from Rodrigo Muniz gave Fulham a 3-3 draw away to Sheffield United and broke the home side's hearts after they had looked to be on track for a vital win after two goals from Ben Brereton.

Everton also slipped closer to the bottom three after a painful 2-1 defeat away to Bournemouth with an injury time own goal from Seamus Coleman.

With Reuters inputs