Brighton put boot into Arsenal’s title chances at Emirates

Arsenal’s fading Premier League title hopes are all but over after second-half goals by Julio Enciso, Deniz Undav and Pervis Estupinan earned Brighton a stunning 3-0 win at the Emirates.

The result means Manchester City only need one more victory from their final three games to defend their crown. Arteta admitted pre-match it was must-win for Arsenal but they tasted defeat after a promising first-half showing thanks to Enciso’s 51st-minute header and late efforts by Undav and Estupinan.

City’s 3-0 win at Everton earlier had failed to dampen the atmosphere at the Emirates but Brighton were not there to make up the numbers and had European football ambitions to get back on track after a home loss to Everton on Monday.

Arsenal slowly got into their groove in the first-half and Jason Steele had to kick away a Gabriel Jesus shot from a narrow angle before substitute Leandro Trossard went close against his old club.

Trossard, a replacement for Martinelli, was booed by the away fans and nearly gained payback after half an hour when Odegaard and Granit Xhaka exchanged passes to find the Belgian, but his swerving effort clipped the top of the crossbar.

Brighton improved after that let-off and Enciso should have done better when Kaoru Mitoma teed up the Paraguayan, but he scooped over on the turn.

Teenage forward Evan Ferguson also fired wide soon after for the Seagulls before Bukayo Saka dragged a shot off target from a promising position inside the area in first-half stoppage-time to ensure it remained goalless at the break.

It only took six minutes of the second half for Arsenal’s profligacy to be punished.

Mitoma found the overlapping Estupinan on the left but, after his first delivery had been half-cleared, his scuffed follow-up cross found its way to Enciso, who headed home.

And with four minutes left it was good night to Arsenal’s title challenge when Trossard’s intended flicked pass hit Pascal Gross and ricocheted into the path of Undav, who lobbed over Ramsdale.

De Zerbi sprinted down the touchline to celebrate and was at it again deep into stoppage-time when Estupinan capped a fine display with a first Brighton goal after he fired home on the rebound when Ramsdale spilt Undav’s effort.

Meanwhile, Brentford cruised to a 2-0 win against West Ham. The Bees opened the scoring after 20 minutes when Bryan Mbeumo struck from inside the box.

They added a second shortly before half-time. Ben Mee flicked on a long throw, that Yoane Wissa glanced home.

West Ham are six points clear of the relegation zone with two games to play.