Sports Desk, May 14 (EFE).- Arsenal was crushed 3-0 at home by Brighton on Sunday, a result that virtually hands the Premier League title to Manchester City.
Julio Enciso scored on a header in the 51st minute at Emirates Stadium before a crowd of 60,000 to get the visitors on the board, and then it was Leandro Trossard setting up Deniz Undav in minute 86 to double the tally, and finally Pervis Estupinan added yet another goal in stoppage time, knocking in the rebound after Arsenal netminder Aaron Ramsdale blocked a shot by Undav.
The loss to the surging Brighton means that Arsenal can probably say “so long” to its title hopes, and the win gives Robeto De Zerbi’s men continued hope that they will qualify for European play.
Although both teams were cautious prior to the intermission, things opened up after the break, during which Brighton was clearly the better team and Arsenal struggled to get back into the groove that had gotten it into position to vie for the title.
Arsenal tried to even things up but when Trossard sent up a pass it was snagged by Pascal Gross and the loose ball was immediately picked up by Undav, off the bench, who sent it over Ramsdale.
With the defeat, Arsenal are still four points in back of Manchester City, who are at the head of the table, but City has played one game less and can clinch the title if the Gunners can be knocked off at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Earlier in the day, Manchester City had blanked Everton 3-0 at Goodison Park in Liverpool before just under 40,000 fans, keeping themselves on course to take the Premier League title.
It was Iklay Gundogan scoring the first tally in minute 37 and then Erling Haaland getting another one two minutes later, putting City nicely in position to coast into the break.
Then, early in the second half, Gundogan knocked in a splendid free kick for the 3-0 and, although Everton managed to scrap and scratch, creating chances and playing acceptable football, there was no further action of note before the final whistle.
City is now in the driver’s seat with 85 points and if they can win two of their remaining three matches they will capture a third consecutive league title.
Everton, meanwhile, are still just a point above the relegation threshold with three more outings to go.
Also on Sunday, Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa scored for Brentford in its easy 2-0 win over West Ham.
Although Ivan Toney, with 20 tallies so far this season, was not in the lineup, Brentwood was still firmly in control of the match at Gtech Community Stadium.
Mbeumo hit the cords from inside the box 20 minutes into the action, and then Wissa got one in after a long pass from Mee for the 2-0 just before the break.
Wissa had another chance in the second half but missed on a wide shot.
EFE –/bp
