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Premier League: 'Catastrophic' losses for Arsenal and Liverpool hand City title impetus

Premier League: 'Catastrophic' losses for Arsenal and Liverpool hand City title impetus
Curtis Jones of Liverpool reacts after a missed chance during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield on Sunday. (Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Curtis Jones of Liverpool reacts after a missed chance during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield on Sunday. (Michael Steele/Getty Images)

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Saturday, 13 April

Newcastle 4-0 Tottenham 

Brentford 2-0 Sheffield United  

Man City 5-1 Luton  

Nottingham Forest 2-2 Wolves 

Burnley 1-1 Brighton 

Bournemouth 2-2 Man United  

Sunday, 14 April

Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace 

West Ham 0-2 Fulham

Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa


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14 April 19:53

Arsenal's title bid rocked by Villa loss

Arsenal's Premier League title hopes suffered a massive blow as Aston Villa struck twice in the closing stages to boost their top four bid with a dramatic 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Mikel Arteta's side would have gone back to the top of the table with a victory, but instead they surrendered the initiative to Manchester City after conceding two goals in the last six minutes.

Leon Bailey put the visitors ahead and Ollie Watkins doubled their lead as Villa boss Unai Emery enjoyed a second sweet win this season over the club that sacked him in 2019.

Arsenal's first defeat in 12 league games leaves them in second place, two points behind City, while third placed Liverpool are behind Arsenal on goal difference.

With just six games left, champions City are closing in on an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League crown.

City's rout of Luton on Saturday had knocked Arsenal out of first place.

But the Gunners should have been on a high after Liverpool suffered a shock 1-0 defeat against Crystal Palace just half an hour before kick-off in north London.

Instead, Arsenal produced a spluttering display that could prove fatal to their challenge for a first English title in 20 years.

It has been a dispiriting week for the Gunners, who were held to a 2-2 draw by Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday, setting up a tricky trip to Germany for the second leg on Wednesday.

After blowing an eight-point lead in the title race last season, Arsenal are in danger of squandering the advantage yet again.

Villa had moved up to fourth place without kicking a ball after Tottenham's thrashing at Newcastle on Saturday dropped them below Emery's men on goal difference.

And Villa's second win in six league games moved them three points clear of Tottenham, who have a game in hand in the race to qualify for the Champions League via a top four finish.

Arsenal had started brightly and Kai Havertz's low drive was palmed away by Emiliano Martinez before Gabriel Jesus headed into the side-netting from Bukayo Saka's cross.

Accelerating onto Martin Odegaard's pin-point pass, Saka took aim from inside the area, but couldn't test Martinez from an acute angle.

Watkins should have put obdurate Villa ahead when he was allowed to break into the Arsenal area unimpeded for a low strike that cannoned back off the post and ricocheted along the goalline to safety.

Just seconds later, Arsenal were repelled by Martinez's superb reflex save after Leandro Trossard met Jesus's cross with a close-range shot that appeared destined for the net until the Argentine keeper stuck out a foot to block it.

As Arsenal's pressure mounted, Saka curled narrowly past the far post from 12 yards.

But superbly-organised Villa remained resolute, reaching half-time on level terms before Youri Tielemans was inches away from giving them the lead on the hour.

Robbing the careless Zinchenko 20 yards from goal, Tielemans unleashed a blistering shot that hit the bar, then bounced onto the post before cannoning to safety.

Martinez pushed away Jesus's shot from the edge of the area, but Arsenal were labouring to unlock a Villa defence expertly marshalled by Diego Carlos.

The Emirates crowd grew increasingly frustrated as Villa pushed Arsenal back in the closing stages.

And their fears were confirmed in the 84th minute when Emery's men snatched the lead.

Lucas Digne's low cross eluded Arsenal defenders William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, leaving Bailey with the simple task of slotting into the empty net from close-range.

Two minutes and 26 seconds later, Watkins delivered the knockout blow, stealing the ball from Emile Smith-Rowe and clipping a delicate finish past David Raya for his 10th goal in his last 11 league games.

Emery celebrated with a jubilant jig on the touchline, while Arteta stood ashen-faced as Arsenal faced up to a catastrophic loss. - AFP

14 April 17:07

Liverpool's title challenge in tatters after Crystal Palace defeat

Liverpool's Premier League title challenge suffered a potentially fatal blow as Crystal Palace won 1-0 at Anfield on Sunday.

A first home league defeat in 29 games for the Reds leaves Jurgen Klopp's men two points behind Manchester City and level with Arsenal, who can go top with victory over Aston Villa later on Sunday.

Eberechi Eze's early goal handed the Eagles a vital win in their battle for survival as they move eight points clear of the drop zone.

However, Liverpool's final season under Klopp is unravelling.

The League Cup winners were on course for a quadruple just a few weeks ago.

But after crashing out of the FA Cup to Manchester United, Liverpool succumbed to a first home defeat in any competition for 14 months when Atalanta stormed Anfield on Thursday to take a 3-0 first-leg lead in their Europa League quarter-final tie.

Klopp's men have now won just three of their last eight games in all competitions and are showing clear signs of fatigue after already having played 51 games this season.

Slow starts have been a recurring theme of Liverpool's struggles of late, and they were again forced to come from behind.

Alisson Becker made his long-awaited return in goal for the home side, but he had no chance when Eze was left with a simple finish from Tyrick Mitchell's cross.

Palace were millimetres away from a second moments later when Andy Robertson produced a remarkable goalline clearance to deny Jean-Philippe Mateta after Virgil van Dijk's slip let the French striker through.

Liverpool had to resort to set-pieces to put the Palace defence under pressure in the first half.

Wataru Endo's scuffed effort came back off the crossbar.

Dean Henderson then produced a stunning save to prevent Luis Diaz from levelling at the back post with an acrobatic effort.

Klopp reacted at half-time with the introduction of Dominik Szoboszlai and Trent Alexander-Arnold's return after two months out, which quickly followed when Conor Bradley went down injured.

Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo were also sent on for the rescue mission from the bench.

Jota looked certain to equalise when picked out by Szoboszlai, but the Portuguese forward's finish hit Nathaniel Clyne, who was on the line with the goal gaping.

At the other end, Alisson showed why he is one of the world's best goalkeepers with a remarkable stop to turn Mateta's strike over from point-blank range.

Liverpool galloped immediately up the other end and Curtis Jones slotted wide with just Henderson to beat.

Mohamed Salah had one final chance to at least snatch a point, but his goalbound effort was brilliantly blocked by Mitchell in stoppage time.

Unless Liverpool produce a stunning fightback against Atalanta in midweek, Klopp will have just two more games at Anfield before his momentous reign comes to an end.

But what looked like it could be a glorious goodbye is now at danger of turning into a damp squib. - AFP

14 April 14:26

Team news is in from Anfield

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Jones, Mac Allister, Endo, Diaz, Nunez, Salah

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Clyne, Andersen, Munoz, Mitchell, Wharton, Hughes, Lerma, Olise, Eze, Mateta

14 April 14:23

Next match: Liverpool v Crystal Palace

14 April 14:23

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0'
Our referee today is David Coote, and he will be assisted by Tim Wood and Mark Scholes. Our fourth official is Paul Tierney.
0'
Aston Villa: 1 E. Martínez 12 L. Digne 3 Diego Carlos 14 Pau Torres 4 E. Konsa 7 J. McGinn 8 Y. Tielemans 22 N. Zaniolo 11 O. Watkins 19 M. Diaby 27 M. Rogers. Replacements: 15 Álex Moreno 2 M. Cash 17 C. Lenglet 31 L. Bailey 24 J. Durán 25 R. Olsen 29 K. Kesler-Hayden 47 T. Iroegbunam 16 C. Chambers.
0'
Arsenal: 22 David Raya 35 O. Zinchenko 6 Gabriel Magalhães 4 B. White 2 W. Saliba 8 M. Ødegaard 41 D. Rice 29 K. Havertz 19 L. Trossard 9 Gabriel Jesus 7 B. Saka. Replacements: 20 Jorginho 11 Gabriel Martinelli 18 T. Tomiyasu 14 E. Nketiah 15 J. Kiwior 5 T. Partey 10 E. Smith Rowe 21 Fábio Vieira 1 A. Ramsdale.
0'
In their earlier meeting this season back in December, Villa beat Arsenal 1-0 at Villa Park.
0'
Last season Arsenal did the double over Villa, beating them 2-1 at the Emirates, followed by a 4-2 win at Villa Park.
0'
Villa have had a shocked in their last five matches, winning just once (2-0 vs Wolves), drawing twice, and losing twice. Their two losses saw them concede four goals in each match to Top 5 teams - 4-0 at home to Spurs, and 4-1 away to Man City.
0'
Arsenal have won four of their last five matches in the League, along with a 0-0 draw with Man City. They have scored 13 goals to just one in reply in those five matches.
0'
Fourth-placed Villa are level on points with Spurs, and level on games. Villa need to win this match to stay ahead of Spurs before their next match. A win would also close the gap with Liverpool, who lost 1-0 on Sunday to Crystal Palace.
0'
Arsenal need to win to end the weekend on top of the Premier League table, after Man City beat Luton 5-1 on Saturday.
0'
Second-placed Arsenal host fourth-placed Aston Villa in a match that has major implications at the top of the table.
0'
Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of the English Premier League clash between Arsenal and Aston Villa, brought to you live from the Emirates Stadium in London.
1'
KICK-OFF! We're underway here at the Emirates!
2'
Villa press forward, there's half a shot on goal a scramble for the ball, and Trossard is down after a bump on the back of his head… but no major damage.
3'
Arsenal press forward from their goal-kick, an attacking throw leads to some hand-to-hand combat in the box, but the ball squirts out for a goal-kick.
5'
Arsenal with a slow build attack, only to be pushed by the strong Villa defence.
7'
Arsenal press forward down the left, Saka is released into the wide right of the box and he flashes a cross across the six-yard box, but just too high to both of his team-mates up in support.
9'
Watkins chases onto a long ball over the top, he can't secured possession but wins a throw-on on the left touchline… the throw is into the box but Villa are blown for shirt pulling.
10'
Lovely passing from Arsenal as they push up down the left.
11'
BRILLIANT! Havertz with a brilliant run into the box and slaps a shot on goal with his left foot first-time… David Raya up to the challenge and beats the shot away with two strong gloves. Sparkling move from the Gunners.
13'
Saka is down on the right wing while Arsenal press up the left, a quick ball over the top being cleared by Arsenal but they retain possession… Saka back on his feet now but walking in some discomfort.
15'
Villa again chase a long ball down the left, but Arsenal clear the danger… but Villa are back on attack.
17'
Flag is up now for off-side so it wouldn't have counted.
17'
Arsenal now chase a long ball over the top, Havertz into the box, beats a defender, looks to shoot on goal but the Arsenal keep is up on him and he can't get any power into the shot.
18'
GREAT CROSS! Saka floats one to beyond the back post where Gabriel gets a strong header onto it, but it's into the side netting.
19'
GREAT PASS! Odegaard slides a world-class pass into the box for Saka to run onto, he meets it and slaps a shot in, but it's into the side-netting.
20'
TOO SLOW! Villa burst forward on the counter, but Watkins dithers on his shot and loses the ball, but only for a moment a Villa win the ball back…
21'
… but Arsenal win the ball back and counter, doing good work up the left before Villa send them packing. Great start to the match with both sides attacking and defending well.
23'
BLOCKED! Jesus inside the box, makes space for himself and snaps a left-footed shot on target, but it's blocked by the packed defence.
25'
Arsenal press forward but Villa do well again to keep them out.
27'
Good work pressing forward from Villa, but Arsenal snuff the attack out.
29'
CLOSE! Havertz again runs onto a through ball, he's onside this time and has three defenders in tow, somehow they squeak the ball away from him but concede a corner… the corner missing everyone and going out for a goal-kick.
32'
Just too heavy! Villa push forward and a lovely ball into the box is just too hard and allow Raya to collect.
34'
Arsenal again pressing forward hard and heavy… Havertz takes a snap-shot on goal but his effort is blocked.
34'
Arsenal again pressing forward hard and heavy… Havertz takes a snap-shot on goal but his effort is blocked.
35'
YELLOW CARD, ARSENAL, WHITE. Carded for a foul earlier in the movement for pulling his card like a wedding train.
37'
Zaniolo getting some medical attention after colliding with a Villa team-mate.
38'
SHOT! Arsenal shoot inside the box, it's defelcted and Martinez is wrong-footed but Villa's defence marshall the ball away.
39'
WIDE! Saka on the right of the goal headers over the top.
40'
POST! It's of the post! Watkins makes the break and shoots under pressure, hit's the inside of the far post… bounces back across the goalmouth and then spins out for a goal kick Those angles! Who would have thought that was possible.
41'
INCREDIBLE SAVE! Arsenal press forward, Jesus inside the box stabs a pass into the path of Trossard running across the six-yard box… he gets a strong foot on it towards goal but MARTINEZ stabs a foot in the way to prevent the goal. Magnificent goal-keeping, and a great piece of attack from Arsenal.
43'
Arsenal pressing and pressing, Havertz running into the box and again putting a nice cross through, but it's off-side.
44'
YELLOW CARD, ARSENAL, GABRIEL. Watkins presses forward on the edge of the box, Gabriel catches him on the chest and it's a free-kick in a dangerous position.
45'
HALF-TIME! A blistering display of football from both sides, Arsenal clearly the more dangerous, but Villa are threatening on the counter. Looks like a thrilling second half is in store for us.
45'
Free-kick is wasted into the wall and cleared… Villa work their way back upfield and win a freekick from 45-metres out… it's lofted into the box but prodded out to touch… and there's the whistle for half-time.
46'
KICK-OFF! We're underway with the second half!
48'
Arsenal pressing forward, buzzing all around the Villa box.
49'
HANDBALL! Very unlucky from Villa, the ball striking a Villa hand as he tried to pull it away from quite close distance.
50'
The free-kick rebounds off the head of a Villa defender.
52'
Villa press forward, passing well…a shot rebounds off the Arsenal defence… Watkins follows up with a shot but it loops up and just over the crossbar.
54'
Arsenal attempt to press forward but are blocked in possession.
56'
Arsenal drive forward from the left, the cross curls tantalisingly into the box but it's too deep… Raya rises to claim it.
58'
Arsenal press forward again, frustrated not to be able to slice through the defence.
59'
Arsenal win a corner, it's floated deep to Rice near the edge of the box, but he slaps his shot way over crossbar.
60'
SUBSTITUTION, VILLA. Diaby is replaced by Bailey.
62'
DAMN YOU, PYTHAGORAS! Villa with a corner from the left, it rebounds to Tielemans who kicks it into the top corner… but the ball bounces off the crossbar, down onto the post… but then back into play where Arsenal clear the danger. HOW UNLUCKY! The angles are minute - Villa twice now millimetres and fractions of angles away from being 2-0 up. So unlucky.
65'
OW! Diego Carlos tries an overhead kick but Odegaard pushes in front of him and catches a boot high on his rib cage. Accidental but the Gunners man is down for a while needing medical attention.
66'
SUBSTITUTION, ARSENAL.Martinelli and Tomiyasu brought on for White and Trossard.
68'
OFF-SIDE! Martinelli pushes forward down the left… but he's flagged off-side.
70'
Villa win a free-kick, try to take it quickly, but the referee calls them back to the proper spot, much to the anger of Villa who were hoping to gain a quick advantage.
72'
FOUL! Martinelli sprinting up the left flank, Konsa on his shoulder, then steps ahead of him and there's contact and he's down. Unlucky for Arsenal… soft foul on a defender who knew he didn't have the legs to match the winger.
74'
Villa win a corner, it's out for a second corner… there's a melee near the byline, a turn and shoot deflects off Tomiyasu's six pack and out for a third corner.
76'
The third corner is cleared, Arsenal counter, but are unable to do any damage. Villa back on the ball pressing forward.
77'
Villa pressing well against Arsenal but they hold them off. Zaniolo is down and it looks like a touch of cramp after a hard afternoon's work.
79'
SUBSTITUTIONS. Emile Smith-Rowe comes on for Martin Odegaard, while Gabriel Jesus is replaced by Jorginho for Arsenal. For Villa, Zaniolo's cramp sees him make way for Alex Moreno.
81'
Villa pressing up stronger now, Arsenal looking under pressure.
83'
GOAL, ASTON VILLA, BAILEY! 0-1; Digne presses down the left and crosses hard across the box… it beats everyone but BAILEY comes screaming in from wide of the back post and slams his shot first-time inside the near post, Raya diving in despair. Super goal and so well deserved as Villa have been quality.
85'
Arsenal pressing more players forward looking for the equaliser.
87'
GOAL, ASTON VILLA, WATKINS! 0-2; Another long ball to clear the danger from an Arsenal attack, Watkins runs onto it, presses forward with a defender on his shoulder, Raya comes out to meet him but he calmly dinks the ball over the keeper (might be a tiny deflection) and it loops beautifully over the keeper and into the net! CUE VILLA (AND MAN CITY) WILD CELEBRATIONS.
89'
Arsenal looking absolutely stunned. They're not giving up as there is plenty of extra time, but you can see that the wind has been knocked out of their sails.
90'
We will have eight minutes of added time, enough for Arsenal to even win… although unlikely based on how well Villa have been playing.
92'
Arsenal have pressed forward but Villa are so tight on defence that there's nothing there for them.
94'
Bailey slips through behind the Arsenal defence inside the box, crosses and Watkins gets a good touch on goal that Raya saves, tries to follow up but Arsenal clear…  and now the flag is for offside. Great momentum from Villa.
96'
Great work from Arsenal inside the Villa box, threading three passes around looking for the shot, but the shot it eventually blocked and Villa win a free-kick. So frustrating for Arsenal just unable to break back.
98'
Long ball over the top for Bailey down the right… he pushes up to the corner flag, then turns and backpasses… and Villa are passing the ball around waiting for the final whistle… and there it is! A great, great win for Villa at the Emirates!
99'
FULL-TIME, ARSENAL 0-2 ASTON VILLA. A magnificent performance from Aston Villa. Two great goals as well as hitting the posts twice… and Villa have done the double over Arsenal for only the third time since the Premier League started. An incredible performance from the visitors. Arsenal had bossed the first half and looked value, but Villa just stepped up and squeezed the hosts out in the second half. Amazing scenes… and what a win. It's been great bringing you the action as it happens… hope you enjoyed following it with us, and here's to a great sporting week ahead of us!
Arsenal
Arsenal
Aston Villa
Aston Villa
0
Goal Scorers
2
84' Bailey Leon
87' Watkins Ollie
0
Yellow Cards
0
0
Red Cards
0
11
Squad
11
Saliba William
White Ben
Gabriel
Saka Bukayo
Oedegaard M...
Jesus Gabriel
Trossard Le...
Raya David
Havertz Kai
Zinchenko O...
Rice Declan
2
4
6
7
8
9
19
22
29
35
41
1
3
4
7
8
11
12
14
19
22
27
Martinez Em...
Carlos Diego
Konsa Ezri
McGinn John
Tielemans Y...
Watkins Ollie
Digne Lucas
Torres Pau
Diaby Moussa
Zaniolo Nicolo
Rogers Morgan
9
Reserves
9
Partey Thomas
Jorginho
Tomiyasu Ta...
Ramsdale Aaron
Smith Rowe ...
Nketiah Edward
Kiwior Jakub
Martinelli ...
Vieira Fabio
5
20
18
1
10
14
15
11
21
16
17
15
25
31
2
24
47
29
Chambers Calum
Lenglet Cle...
Moreno Alex
Olsen Robin
Bailey Leon
Cash Matty
Duran Jhon
Iroegbunam Tim
Kesler-Hayd...