After successive league defeats to Bournemouth and Manchester City, Arsenal were knocked off the summit for the first ‌time since October by City on Wednesday, but they responded to secure three vital points.

It was far from convincing, and the quality of Eze’s sublime ninth-minute strike was at odds with the rest of a laboured display by Mikel Arteta’s side, but all that mattered for the hosts was getting back to winning ways.

The nervousness around the stadium was apparent throughout a tight contest and ​there was relief when Newcastle substitute Yoane Wissa blazed a glorious late chance over the crossbar.

With Manchester City otherwise engaged in FA Cup semi-final action, Arsenal took the chance to ​move to 73 points from 34 games with City on 70 from 33.

“It’s never going to be a path of roses,” ⁠Arteta said. “We knew at halftime we wanted to score the second goal but we were not efficient enough. But we did the job.”

Newcastle’s fourth successive ​league defeat, and 13th in their last 14 league visits to Arsenal, left them in 14th place and with pressure mounting on Eddie Howe, although he said he was pleased with ​his side’s improved display.

“I can’t be too critical of the players today, it was a much better performance,” Howe said.

Arsenal’s stuttering run in the past month began with a tame League Cup final defeat by Manchester City followed by a surprise loss to second-tier Southampton in the FA Cup.

But it was the back-to-back league defeats and the evaporation of ​a nine-point lead in the title race that has really spooked Arsenal as they try to land a first Premier League crown since 2004.

ARSENAL SCORE FROM ​ANOTHER SET-PIECE

While Saturday’s performance will hardly have had Manchester City quaking in their boots, what is not in dispute is Arsenal’s ability to capitalise from set-piece routines.

Eze’s goal ‌was the ⁠17th Arsenal have scored from a corner this season — a Premier League record — but this was a variation on the usual routine.

Twice in the opening minutes they used a short corner rather than the usual high delivery into the area. The first two had little effect although Eze did fire a shot wide from the second.

When another corner came along soon after, the ball was played low into the area to Kai Havertz, who fed it back to Eze ​just outside the penalty area and in ​one flowing movement he curled a ⁠right-footed shot away from the helpless Nick Pope.

It should have settled Arsenal’s nerves and made for a comfortable Spring evening against a labouring Newcastle whose season has hit the buffers.

In reality, it was never comfortable. Arsenal were strangely ​passive throughout the rest of the first half and Newcastle occasionally threatened, with Sandro Tonali’s dipping low drive almost ​catching out David Raya.

⁠Havertz limped off in the first half to be replaced by Viktor Gyokeres and Eze departed early in the second half.

“Muscular niggles, we don’t think they are too much,” said Arteta, whose side face Atletico Madrid on Wednesday in a Champions League semi-final first leg.

With Arsenal seemingly unable, or unwilling, to kill off the game, the ⁠anxiety levels ​grew in the latter stages and had Wissa shown more composure with the goal gaping, Arsenal ​would have handed another gift to City.

On the plus side, they showed commendable durability, Bukayo Saka returned off the bench after a month out, and Arsenal will have the chance to open ​the gap to six points when they host Fulham next weekend before City are next in league action.

-Reuters

 Eberechi Eze celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/David Klein 

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Arsenal walk into Saturday’s Premier League clash with Newcastle United with their margin for error gone, knowing that any ​stumble at the Emirates could prove fatal to their title hopes.

Mikel Arteta’s side go into the weekend knowing that anything less than ‌victory at the Emirates would hand the initiative straight back to Manchester City, who moved top of the table by the smallest of margins after Wednesday’s 1-0 win at Burnley.

City and Arsenal are level on 70 points and goal difference (37), with Pep Guardiola’s side ahead by only three goals scored, but the optics of the race have shifted once again.

Arsenal, ​who only recently held a commanding lead, are now chasing momentum as well as results.

A 2-1 defeat by City last weekend and their rivals’ ​relentless pursuit have stripped away any buffer, making Newcastle’s visit a must-win fixture.

Arteta insisted his side are “more convinced” than ever ⁠that they can hoist the league trophy.

“It’s a new league now,” Arteta said. “Everything is still to play for. We’re not going to stop and we’re ​going to go again, that’s for sure.”

City are not in league action this weekend as they are playing Southampton in an FA Cup semi-final on Saturday, ​but will watch closely, confident that they can reproduce their superb late-season form of previous seasons.

At the bottom, with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley already relegated, the fight for survival is just as unforgiving.

West Ham United host Everton, knowing that three points could prove decisive in their bid to stay clear of the drop zone.

Tottenham Hotspur, meanwhile, face a season‑defining ​trip to Wolves, where anything less than victory would leave them staring at the unthinkable as the margins at the foot of the table continue ​to tighten with every passing game.

It is the first time in 49 years that Spurs have been in the drop zone this late in the season, sitting 18th on ‌31 points, ⁠two adrift of 17th-placed West Ham.

Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi feels his side can string together five consecutive wins to ensure their survival.

“I always believe in the qualities of the players,” he said after Saturday’s costly 2-2 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion. “In this moment, we need this spirit, this attitude, this mentality, and it’s not finished yet.”

Holders Liverpool can firm up Champions League qualification with a victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday at Anfield. Arne Slot’s men are ​fifth in a congested top half ​of the table, but are finally ⁠enjoying some momentum with victories in their last two league games.

While securing a top-five finish would be a positive in a disappointing season, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said that is not the club’s standard.

“It’s definitely not the ​standards I expect and envision myself being a Liverpool player – just to qualify for the Champions League,” the Dutch ​defender said after last ⁠weekend’s 2-1 win over Everton in the Merseyside Derby.

Manchester United host Brentford on Monday on the verge of securing Champions League qualification, aided by Chelsea’s loss to Brighton this week that dropped the Blues to eighth place and led to manager Liam Rosenior being sacked on Wednesday after their seventh defeat in their last eight ⁠matches across ​all competitions.

United have been on a brilliant run under interim manager Michael Carrick, with eight wins ​and two draws in their 12 matches under the former United midfielder.

They are third on 58 points, eight points ahead of sixth-place Brighton, and a maximum of six points would secure qualification ​for Europe’s elite club competition.

Aston Villa, who trail Manchester United only on goal difference, travel to Fulham on Saturday.

-Reuters

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The narrow win at Turf Moor not only confirmed Burnley’s drop to the Championship but also ended Arsenal’s six-month reign at the summit, with Manchester City climbing to the top on goals scored. Both sides are level on 70 points with identical goal difference, but momentum has now firmly swung in City’s favour.

For Arsenal, the psychological impact may be just as significant as the mathematical shift. Having led the title race since October, Mikel Arteta’s side have stumbled at a critical stage in April, including a damaging defeat to City last weekend. That loss, followed by City’s ability to grind out another three points, has intensified pressure on the North London club.

Erling Haaland’s early strike—his fifth-minute finish—ultimately separated the sides, but City’s inability to extend their lead kept the contest tense and left Arsenal with a lingering sense that the title race remains finely balanced.

City manager Pep Guardiola admitted his side lacked cutting edge despite dominating chances, but the victory extended their unbeaten league run and underlined their experience in navigating high-pressure run-ins.

For Arsenal, however, the equation is now clear: they must respond immediately. While City sit top, Arsenal still hold a crucial advantage—they will play twice in the league before City’s next outing. That scheduling quirk offers Arteta’s men a chance to reclaim first place, but only if they rediscover consistency.

Burnley’s spirited display, despite their relegation being confirmed, also carries a lesson for Arsenal. City were far from dominant, and opportunities to drop points remain if opponents can replicate such resilience.

Ultimately, City’s victory has shifted the title race from Arsenal’s control to a head-to-head duel defined by nerve, depth, and timing. With just five matches remaining, Arsenal are no longer pace-setters—they are now chasing, and any further slip could hand City a fifth Premier League title in six seasons.

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The Midlands club have ⁠been well adrift after ​a terrible first half of ​the season in which they failed to win any of their first ​19 games, and 17th-placed ​West Ham United’s 0-0 draw at ‌Crystal ⁠Palace sealed their fate.

Wolves lost 3-0 at Leeds United on Saturday to sit on ​17 points ​after ⁠33 games, and while Tottenham Hotspur’s draw with ​Brighton & Hove Albion delayed ​the ⁠inevitable, Rob Edwards’s side are now officially heading for ⁠the ​Championship.

Relegation ends Wolves’ ​eight-season stay in the Premier League.

-Reuters

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Cunha fired home from a pinpoint Bruno Fernandes cross with the visitors’ first and ‌only shot on target in the 43rd minute.

United’s interim coach, Michael Carrick, delighted in Cunha’s composure after the Brazilian had missed a chance minutes before. But he had particular praise for his scratch centre back ​pairing of 19-year-old Ayden Heaven and Noussair Mazraoui.

“With suspension and injuries, we had ​to adapt,” he told reporters. “There’s a lot to be proud of tonight. ⁠The way we defended … I love when you see players thrive in their moments.”

Carrick’s ​side resisted waves of Chelsea attacks, with the home side hitting the woodwork three times through ​Estevao, Liam Delap and Wesley Fofana.

Chelsea’s failure to find the net despite 21 shots to United’s four condemned them to their fourth league defeat in a row without scoring and opened a 10-point ​gap between the sides.

They enjoyed nearly 60% possession and had 40 touches in the ​opposition box to United’s 10, frustrating beleaguered coach Liam Rosenior, who described his team as dominant from ‌the ⁠first minute to the last.

“Tonight was a really difficult result to take. They had one shot on goal and scored,” he said. “We can’t get into a cycle where we feel sorry for ourselves. We have to turn this around.”

United moved to 58 points ahead of ​Aston Villa on 55 ​and Liverpool with 52, ⁠though both have a game in hand.

“I feel three points closer (to the Champions League), we have another game that we have to ​win,” Player of the Match Fernandes told TNT Sports.

“We know we ​need points ⁠to get that place secured, and we will do everything possible to be as quick as possible,” the Portugal midfielder said.

Chelsea remain sixth, but with several teams snapping at their ⁠heels, and ​their chances of reaching the Champions League places are severely ​dented.

“It gives us a mountain to climb. We have to go into Brighton (on Tuesday) knowing we need to ​win the game,” Rosenior added.

-Reuters

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Needing a ​point to make it mathematically ⁠certain, Frank Lampard’s league leaders ​salvaged a draw as Bobby ​Thomas headed a late equaliser at Ewood Park.

Blackburn had taken the lead ​shortly after the interval ​with a deflected shot by Ryoya Morishita.

The ‌final ⁠whistle sparked celebrations on the pitch and delirious scenes among the 7,000 travelling fans.

Coventry ​top the ​table ⁠with 86 points from 43 games, 13 points ​ahead of third-placed Millwall ​, who ⁠can no longer catch them. Ipswich Town, Millwall, Southampton and ⁠Middlesbrough ​are battling for ​the second automatic promotion spot.

-Reuters

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The brace from Okafor not only secured a morale-boosting win for Leeds but also reinforced the growing impact of players of Nigerian heritage on the global stage. However, in a twist that continues to resonate within Nigerian football circles, Okafor—who was born to a Nigerian father and a Swiss mother—has already pledged his international allegiance to Switzerland, placing his international future firmly outside the Super Eagles setup.

Leeds, battling to steer clear of relegation, showed hunger and intensity from the outset, unsettling their more fancied hosts who appeared sluggish after the international break. The visitors’ early intent paid off when Okafor calmly side-footed home the opening goal after sustained pressure high up the pitch.

He doubled the advantage in the 29th minute, showcasing composure and power as his strike from outside the box took a deflection before beating the goalkeeper, capping a dominant first-half display from the visitors.

Manchester United’s frustrations deepened early in the second half when Lisandro Martinez was sent off after a VAR review adjudged him to have pulled the hair of Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin—a decision that sparked anger from the home bench.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, United mounted a response through Casemiro, who pulled one goal back in the 69th minute after connecting with a delivery from Bruno Fernandes. The Brazilian midfielder nearly salvaged a point late on, but Leeds’ defence stood firm under intense pressure.

For Nigeria, the night still carried a sense of bittersweet pride—celebrating Okafor’s brilliance while reflecting on the growing trend of dual-nationality talents opting to represent other countries. His performance not only lifted Leeds further away from the relegation zone but also served as a reminder of the global spread of Nigerian football talent, even when it flourishes under different national flags.

Leeds climbed to 36 points, creating breathing space above the relegation places, while Manchester United remain third on the table with 55 points, albeit under increasing pressure in the race for European qualification.

Leeds striker Calvert-Lewin praised the team’s determination after the match, while Manchester United manager Michael Carrick expressed strong dissatisfaction with the refereeing, particularly the decision to send off Martinez, describing it as one of the worst he has witnessed.

As the Premier League season enters its decisive phase, Okafor’s heroics once again highlight both the strength—and the complex realities—of Nigeria’s football diaspora.

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Partey, a Ghana international, has previously denied five counts of rape ​relating to two women, plus a ​charge of sexual assault against a ⁠third woman, between 2021 and 2022.

The ​32-year-old midfielder was subsequently charged with two ​further offences of rape relating to a fourth complainant in December 2020, to which he pleaded ​not guilty at Southwark Crown Court.

The ​alleged offences took place when Partey played for Premier ‌League ⁠soccer club Arsenal. He left the club last summer and signed for Spain’s Villarreal.

Partey was released on bail ahead of his ​trial, which ​was ⁠due to start in November but could be delayed.

Partey was signed ​by Arsenal from Atletico Madrid ​for ⁠50 million euros ($58.49 million) in 2020 and became a key member of the English ⁠side’s ​first team, before his ​contract expired at the end of June.

-Reuters

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The visitors took the lead at a nervy Emirates through Junior Kroupi, but Mikel Arteta’s men levelled through a Viktor Gyokeres penalty later in the first half.

The Gunners made multiple attacking changes early in the second period but struggled to create clear-cut chances against Andoni Iraola’s enterprising team.

Bournemouth were back in front in the 74th minute after a fluid move finished off by Alex Scott, who rifled the ball past David Raya.

Arsenal pushed for a leveller but slumped to just their second home defeat in the league this season.

“Disappointing. It’s a big punch in the face and it’s about how we react now. They are a team who haven’t lost for 11 games for a reason, they did a lot right,” said Arteta on TNT Sports.

“We were far from efficient. The first chance they had to attack the box, it’s a deflection, a bad defending action and it’s a goal. That’s something we have to recover from.

“The second half you expect a different game. We did a lot of strange things today. We have been very consistent. This can happen, this is football.”

On whether the players are hurting, he added: “A lot. It has to hurt. They have to take it on the chin. You stand up and go for the fight or you’re out.

“It’s a big week. A lot at stake. We’re still in a good position in both competitions.”

With six games to go, Arsenal, chasing their first Premier League title since 2004, are nine points clear of second-placed City.

But Guardiola’s men – who have two games in hand – can close to within three points of the top if they beat Chelsea on Sunday and overcome the Gunners in an Etihad summit meeting next week.

Arsenal came into the match lifted by their last-gasp 1-0 win in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Sporting Lisbon in midweek.

But they were sluggish against a bright Bournemouth team who played the more fluid football in the opening stages.

Iraola’s team took a deserved lead in the 17th minute when Kroupi tapped in from close range after the ball fell to him following a wicked lopping deflection off William Saliba.

The goal followed a well-worked move, with Bournemouth captain Ryan Christie playing a sweetly measured ball into the path of Adrien Truffert, whose cross was deflected into his path by Saliba.

Kroupi, 19, is the first teenager to score 10 goals in his debut Premier League season since Robbie Keane for Coventry City in 1999/2000.

Moments later, Kai Havertz squandered a clear chance to level, putting a header over the bar and the crowd became increasingly edgy as the home side struggled to settle.

But Arsenal were level in the 35th minute when Gyokeres blasted home from the penalty spot after the ball struck Christie’s outstretched hand.

Arteta, who has been criticised for being over-cautious this season, made three attacking changes early in the second half, bringing on Eberechi Eze, 16-year-old Max Dowman and Leandro Trossard for Havertz, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli.

But the changes failed to lift the Gunners, who looked short of attacking ideas beyond long balls to Gyokeres, who fired wide in added time when well placed.

“We showed great personality to play in a big game and a big stadium. I’m very happy for the players,” Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola told BBC Sport.

“We started really well. Physically we sustained the level of the game. We finished strong.

“Defensively apart from the penalty we defended those (set-piece) situations well. We were quite brave. A complete performance.”

Just weeks ago Arsenal were on track for a unique quadruple before defeat to City in the League Cup final and a shock loss to Southampton in the FA Cup.

They remain favourites for the Premier League title but City, with their two games in hand, will travel to Stamford Bridge with renewed hope.

 – AFP

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The 33-year-old forward announced his decision in an emotional video shared on social media on Tuesday, expressing gratitude to the club, the city and its supporters.

“Unfortunately, the day has come. This is the first part of my farewell,” Salah said. “I will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.

“I never imagined how deeply this club, this city, these people would become part of my life,” he added. “Liverpool is not just a football club, it’s a passion, it’s a history, it’s a spirit.”

A Legendary Anfield Career

Salah, who joined Liverpool from AS Roma in 2017, leaves as one of the club’s greatest-ever players.

During his time at Anfield, he helped Liverpool win the Premier League twice, the UEFA Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, The FA Cup, two League Cups and the Community Shield.

He scored 255 goals in 435 appearances, making him Liverpool’s third-highest goalscorer of all time, while also claiming the Premier League Golden Boot on four occasions.

His 2024/25 season stands out as one of the finest individual campaigns in league history, with 29 goals and 18 assists, earning him the Player of the Season award alongside both the Golden Boot and Playmaker honours.

However, Salah’s final campaign has been marked by inconsistency and tension.

He endured a prolonged dip in form, struggling for goals and being left out of several key matches, including fixtures in the UEFA Champions League. His reduced influence on the pitch was compounded by a public disagreement with Liverpool manager Arne Slot.

After being benched for consecutive matches in December, Salah criticised the club, accusing it of “throwing me under the bus” and hinting at a breakdown in his relationship with the coach.

Although Slot later attempted to play down the incident, it highlighted a difficult period for a player who had long been central to Liverpool’s success.

Despite the struggles, Salah has shown flashes of his brilliance, including a stunning goal in Liverpool’s recent 4-0 victory over Galatasaray in the Champions League, marking his 50th goal in Europe’s elite club competition.

Nicknamed the “Egyptian King,” Salah remains deeply adored by Liverpool supporters, with murals of his image and signature celebrations adorning streets around Anfield.

“Leaving is never easy,” Salah said in his farewell. “You gave me the best time of my life. I will always be one of you. This club will always be my home.

“Because of all of you, I will never walk alone.”

Salah’s departure will mark the end of an era at Liverpool—one defined by goals, trophies and a lasting bond between player and supporters.

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