Arsenal ensured Liverpool could not secure the Premier League title on Sunday, cruising to a commanding 4–0 win over 10-man Ipswich Town, while Chelsea came from behind to edge Fulham 2–1 and climb into the Champions League places.
Meanwhile, Manchester United were brought back down to earth following their midweek Europa League heroics, suffering a 1–0 defeat to Wolves at Old Trafford — a result that secured Premier League survival for the visitors.
Liverpool, aiming for a record-equalling 20th English top-flight crown, needed both an Arsenal defeat and a win against Leicester later on Sunday to seal the title. Arsenal’s emphatic win put those hopes on hold.
Ipswich’s loss all but confirms their relegation. The newly promoted side now sit 15 points from safety with just five games left and a significantly worse goal difference than West Ham, the team just above the drop zone.
Arsenal on cruise control
Fresh off a historic win at the Santiago Bernabéu — their first Champions League semi-final appearance since 2009 — Arsenal made just three changes from the side that beat Real Madrid 2–1 midweek. Mikel Arteta’s side were rewarded with a blistering start that put the result beyond doubt within 30 minutes.
Leandro Trossard, one of the players recalled, poked home his eighth league goal of the season to open the scoring. A flowing move moments later saw Bukayo Saka’s cross flicked into Gabriel Martinelli’s path by Mikel Merino for a simple finish to double the lead.
Ipswich’s hopes of a comeback evaporated when Leif Davis was shown a straight red card for a reckless tackle on Saka. Fortunately, the England winger escaped serious injury, but was later withdrawn early in the second half as a precaution.
Trossard netted his second of the match from a clever corner routine, before 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri capped off the win with a deflected strike—his first Premier League goal.
Chelsea leave it late
At Craven Cottage, Chelsea kept their top-four hopes alive with a dramatic late turnaround. The Blues had won just five of their previous 16 league games and looked headed for another disappointing result after Alex Iwobi put Fulham ahead in the 20th minute, converting after Ryan Sessegnon outmuscled Reece James.
But Mauricio Pochettino’s side rallied late. Nineteen-year-old Tyrique George, off the bench, equalised with a sharp finish from the edge of the box in the 83rd minute. Pedro Neto then completed the comeback in stoppage time with a thunderous strike to seal Chelsea’s sixth league win in 17 outings.
The victory moves Chelsea up to fifth, leapfrogging Nottingham Forest on goal difference, with Forest set to visit Tottenham on Monday.
United’s misery deepens
Manchester United’s domestic struggles continued, as a much-rotated side fell to a club-record 15th league defeat of the season. Just days after their thrilling 5–4 aggregate win over Lyon in Europe, Rúben Amorim’s side lacked sharpness and creativity at Old Trafford.
The match featured little goalmouth action until Pablo Sarabia stepped up to deliver a moment of magic — curling in a superb free-kick 13 minutes from time to hand Wolves the win.
It was Wolves’ fifth consecutive Premier League victory — their best run since 1970 — and lifts Vítor Pereira’s team to 15th, level on points with United, who only sit above them on goal difference.
AFP
