Liverpool’s quest for the Premier League title became significantly easier on Saturday, thanks to a favor from their local rival, Everton. A tense match at Goodison Park, just a stone’s throw from Liverpool’s iconic Anfield, saw Arsenal drop crucial points in a 1-1 draw — further cementing Liverpool’s lead in the race.
The scene was electric when Iliman Ndiaye netted a controversial penalty for Everton, a decision that was met with delight not only from the home fans but also from Liverpool supporters. This result leaves Liverpool 11 points clear of Arsenal, with an extra game to play against Fulham on Sunday. The season is winding down, and only seven matches remain in what has become a rather one-sided affair for the title.
In the battle at the bottom, the fight against relegation seems almost concluded. Wolverhampton’s 2-1 victory over Ipswich widened the gap, leaving Ipswich, Leicester, and Southampton teetering on the brink of dropping out of the league. These teams, promoted as recently as last year, now face the grim reality of heading back down.
Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, rested key players like Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka ahead of their critical Champions League clash with Real Madrid. Despite almost pulling off a win, Arsenal faltered after Ndiaye’s penalty — much to Arteta’s frustration, who claimed the penalty should never have been awarded.
Leandro Trossard put Arsenal ahead initially, but the talent injection of Saka and Gabriel Martinelli after halftime couldn’t secure a victory. The draw essentially leaves Arsenal to focus on the Champions League as their likely path to success this season.
Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest faced a setback in their unexpected quest for Champions League qualification after a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa ended their three-match winning streak. Forest remains positioned for a potential top-five finish, sitting comfortably above sixth-placed Villa.
The chaotic climax at Selhurst Park saw Crystal Palace edge out Brighton 2-1 in a match filled with red cards, including two for Palace players. Their victory put a dent in Brighton’s hopes of an improbable Champions League spot. Meanwhile, Bournemouth managed a 2-2 draw at West Ham, with Brazilian striker Evanilson scoring twice.