Arsenal left Anfield with a 1-0 win on Sunday that put them three points clear at the top of the Premier League. Noni Madueke was fortunate to still be on the pitch at the final whistle.

Around the 80th minute, Alexis Mac Allister squared up to the Arsenal winger and went down holding his face. One match report describes referee Andy Madley going to the pitchside monitor and then booking Mac Allister rather than dismissing Madueke, who had already picked up a yellow card in the 55th minute.

The letter of the law

Premier League rules state that a player is sent off for violent conduct if they make a clear forward movement with their head that results in contact with the head or face of an opponent, “unless the force used was negligible.” That final clause is what Madley and his VAR team, led by Stuart Attwell, decided fit the picture.

Gary Neville was calling the game and saw it the same way. He told viewers there had been “a little nudge with the head” and that “a little inch forward can cost you a lot,” before reserving his sharpest words for the man on the floor.

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“Mac Allister’s reaction is a bit over the top, I can tell you that. Get up. Embarrassing,” Neville said.

“Well done to VAR because they’ve recognised that Mac Allister going down is embarrassing.”

Iraola’s furious night

Andoni Iraola was already in Madley’s book before the headbutt check, picked up for his protests over penalty appeals the referee had waved away. One came on 29 minutes when Cody Gakpo went down inside the box. Another arrived when Jurrien Timber tugged Alexander Isak’s shirt as the Liverpool striker broke clear.

Kai Havertz had already put Arsenal in front in the 16th minute, tapping in a Declan Rice cross after an Alisson giveaway. Liverpool pressed but never found a way through, and the result left them fifth, nine points off the top.

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Arteta’s long wait at Anfield

Noni Madueke joined Arsenal from Chelsea in July 2025 in a deal worth up to £52m. On Sunday he came within one yellow of walking off and still played a part in the move that led to the only goal.

Mikel Arteta had told reporters before kick-off that going to Anfield was “a privilege” and that it had been “14 years since we last won there, so it’s time to do it,” according to NBC Sports. Sunday’s win ended that wait.

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