Title fight remains tight

Arsenal shrugged off the disappointment of their Champions League exit to move back to the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 win at Wolves last Saturday (Apr 20).

Arsenal’s season was in danger of coming completely off the rails after a three-game winless run.

Mikel Arteta’s men lost 2-0 at home to Aston Villa on Apr 14, their first Premier League defeat in 2024, in between a Champions League quarterfinal elimination by Bayern Munich.

However, goals from Leandro Trossard and Martin Odegaard saw them bounce back and regain top spot in the table.

“Massive win for us,” said Arsenal captain Odegaard.

“Still a long way to go, still tight in the race, so today was all about getting back to business.”

Liverpool are level with the Gunners on 74 points after they beat Fulham 3-1 last Sunday, athough they occupy second place based on goal difference.

Jurgen Klopp’s side had also endured a tough time of late, crashing out of the Europa League quarter-finals against Atalanta and suffering a damaging Premier League defeat at home to Crystal Palace the previous weekend.

However, goals from Trent AlexanderArnold, Diogo Jota and Ryan Gravenberch, his first in the Premier League for the club, saw the Reds’ regain momentum.

Manchester City are one point behind Arsenal and Liverpool but with a game in hand.

Aston Villa tightened their grip on Champions League football next season with a 3-1 win over Bournemouth, only days after they booked their place in the Europa Conference League semi-finals with a win against Lille.

Victory takes Villa six points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham. Spurs have two games in hand but still have to play all of the title challengers, Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool.

David Moyes’ future as West Ham manager looks more uncertain after they were thrashed 5-2 at Crystal Palace, while Luton’s hopes of survival suffered a major setback as they were hammered title chase 5-1 at home by Brentford.

The Hatters are in 18th place on 25 points, one point adrift of Nottingham Forest who lost 2-0 at Everton in a highly controversial clash.

The official Nottingham Forest account on social media platform X called into question the Premier League’s integrity by claiming the VAR official is a fan of relegation rivals Luton.

“We warned the PGMOL (referees’ governing body) that the VAR is a Luton fan before the game but they didn’t change him,” Forest said in a statement said.

“Our patience has been tested multiple times. NFFC will now consider its options.”

Burnley are now within two points of Luton and three of survival after cruising to a 4-1 victory at rock bottom Sheffield United.