Arsenal moves up to second in the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Ipswich

LONDON (AP) — Arsenal moved up to second place in the Premier League with a 1-0 home win against Ipswich on Friday.

Mikel Arteta’s side is six points behind leader Liverpool, which has a game in hand.

Second-bottom Ipswich had won two of its last three away games but was up against it from the start at the Emirates.

The visitors did not have one touch in the Gunners’ box during the first 45 minutes and, although Ipswich showed signs of life after the break, it was Arsenal which continued to dominate the game, marshaled by Declan Rice in midfield.

Kai Havertz got the only goal midway through the first half when he knocked in a cross from Leandro Trossard.

Havertz, Rice, Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus all had chances but none of them could add to Arsenal’s tally.

“It’s so tough, every team is tough to break down," Havertz said. "They fight for each other and at the end we’re very proud for the win.”

Arsenal is a point above third-place Chelsea and two points clear of season surprise team Nottingham Forest in fourth.

Brighton had most of the chances but could not find the net in a 0-0 draw with Brentford that extended the south coast club’s winless run to six league games.

It was a frustrating night for the home side and especially Julio Enciso. The Paraguay striker had a host of opportunities to score but couldn’t make them count.

Along with Southampton, Brentford has the worst away record in the league with seven losses and two draws and it was easy to see why in this toothless performance.

Brentford had an early goal from Yoane Wissa ruled out for offside and, although it came a bit more into the game in the second half, it failed to pressure Icelandic goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson, who made his Premier League debut eight minutes before halftime when Mark Flekken went off with a thigh injury.

One bright spot for the home side was the return of winger Solly March. He came on as a late substitute to make his first appearance for Brighton since injuring a knee against Manchester City 14 months ago.

The result leaves Brighton in 10th place with 26 points, one spot and two points ahead of the Bees.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Arsenal's Jurrien Timber gestures during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Ipswich at the Emirates Stadium in London, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Arsenal's Jurrien Timber takes a shot during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Ipswich at the Emirates Stadium in London, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Brighton and Hove Albion's Joao Pedro during the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton & Hove Albion and CF Brentford in Brighton and Hove, England, Friday, Dec 27, 2024. (Steven Paston/PA via AP)

Brentford's goalkeeper Mark Flekken receives treatment for an injury during the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton & Hove Albion and CF Brentford in Brighton and Hove, England, Friday, Dec 27, 2024. (Steven Paston/PA via AP)

Brighton and Hove Albion's Jan Paul van Hecke, second right, is lead away by the referee Andrew Madley, right, following a clash with the oppositions players during the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton & Hove Albion and CF Brentford in Brighton and Hove, England, Friday, Dec 27, 2024. (Steven Paston/PA via AP)

Arsenal's Martin Odegaard wins a header against Ipswich Town's Sammie Szmodics during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Ipswich at the Emirates Stadium in London, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Arsenal's Declan Rice leaps high to head the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Ipswich at the Emirates Stadium in London, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Arsenal's Kai Havertz, center, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Ipswich at the Emirates Stadium in London, England, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. (John Walton/PA via AP)

CENTURION, South Africa (AP) — Rain delayed the start of the third day’s play in the first cricket test between South Africa and Pakistan with no play possible before lunch on Saturday.

The entire first session was washed out at SuperSport Park with Pakistan scheduled to resume its second innings at 88-3 – still trailing South Africa by two runs.

South Africa has plenty of time left to press its bid for a place in next year’s World Test Championship final. The home team needs to win one of the two test matches against Pakistan for a guaranteed place in next June’s WTC final at Lord’s.

South Africa claimed a 90-run first innings lead on the back of half centuries from Aiden Markram and debutant Corbin Bosch, who smashed an unbeaten 81 on a dream debut.

Bosch's scintillating knock, which featured 15 fours, was the highest score by a No. 9 batter on debut in test history.

Pakistan had been bowled out for 211 as Bosch claimed a wicket with his first ball and finished with impressive figures of 4-63.

Paceman Dane Paterson took 5-61 on a wicket where both teams have packed their line-ups with four fast bowlers each, going into the game without a specialist spinner.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Rain delays the start of day three of the Test cricket match between South Africa and Pakistan, at the Centurion Park, in Centurion, South Africa, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Rain delays the start of day three of the Test cricket match between South Africa and Pakistan, at the Centurion Park, in Centurion, South Africa, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Rain delays the start of day three of the Test cricket match between South Africa and Pakistan, at the Centurion Park, in Centurion, South Africa, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)