Premier League: Arsenal, Newcastle heat up Top 5 race

The match was just a formality for the new champion Liverpool but was the key to opening the door to the Champions League for Arsenal. The "Gunners" thought they had to accept their 5th defeat of the season when they conceded two goals in the first half.

Cody Gakpo scores for Liverpool

Liverpool's Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz nearly broke the hearts of many London fans but Arsenal confidently staged a comeback in the second half.

Gabriel Martinelli pulled one back before Mikel Merino equalised for the North Londoners. Arsenal were down to 10 men after Merino was sent off in the 79th minute, but the visitors held on for a 2-2 draw.

Gabriel Martinelli headed home to reduce the gap for Arsenal

1 point at this time is too important for any team still participating in the race for the top 5 of the Premier League, along with the right to participate in the European Cup next season.

Don't forget that in the early matches, Man City couldn't even beat the relegated Southampton on their home field. With a superior goal difference compared to their direct competitors, Arsenal can also only need to win 1 more point to secure a place in the Champions League next season, because the "Gunners" are currently in second place, 5 points ahead of the sixth-placed Aston Villa.

Sandro Tonali (8) opened the scoring for Newcastle

Arsenal drew, Man City failed to win, Newcastle took a big step forward in the Top 5 race when they defeated direct rival Chelsea at home. Sandro Tonali opened the scoring for Newcastle after just two minutes.

Chelsea's situation became even more dire when striker Nicolas Jackson was sent off at the end of the first half for hitting an opponent.

Chelsea lost completely, lost a man against Newcastle

Conceding a goal and lacking the finishing touch as usual, Chelsea conceded a second goal which was no longer a surprise. Bruno Guimaraes sealed a 2-0 victory at the end of the match, helping Newcastle to their 7th win in the last 9 rounds, moving them up to third place in the Premier League table.

Newcastle have more hope, Chelsea are worried

The Magpies are hopeful of qualifying for the Champions League for the second time in three seasons as they are three points clear of sixth-placed Aston Villa in the race for the top five.

For Chelsea, the bitter defeat has put their Champions League hopes in serious jeopardy. They are now level on points with sixth-placed Aston Villa and just one point ahead of seventh-placed Nottingham Forest.

The remaining journey of "The Blues" is not peaceful when they face Man United (home) and Nottingham Forest (away), two opponents who still have a lot of motivation to fight. "Dark horse" Nottingham Forest, after a series of disappointing matches, has rekindled the hope of competing for the Top 5 after a sweaty 2-2 draw with Leicester, the team that was officially relegated a few rounds ago.

Tottenham lost at home

Both former "Big Six" members Man United and Tottenham were defeated in this round. Man United continued their poor run of form with a 0-2 home defeat to West Ham, despite just days earlier having beaten Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League semi-finals.

The disastrous defeat saw Man United drop to 16th place, their worst performance since they were relegated in the 1973-74 season, long before the Premier League era.

Man United and Tottenham are just above the relegation zone.

Tottenham were equally poor, just days after beating Bodo/Glimt to reach the Europa League final. At home, the "Roosters" lost 0-2 to Crystal Palace, their 20th defeat of the season and they are just above the relegation zone. Tottenham are likely to finish the season in their lowest position in 48 years.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/ngoai-hang-anh-arsenal-newcastle-ham-nong-cuoc-dua-top-5-19625051206335299.htm