Arsenal suffers blow in Premier League title race-Xinhua

Arsenal suffers blow in Premier League title race

Source: Xinhua

Editor: huaxia

2026-04-12 10:07:30

Arsenal's Noni Madueke (L) vies with Bournemouth's Marcos Senesi during the English Premier League match between Arsenal and Bournemouth in London, Britain, April 11, 2026. (Xinhua)

LONDON, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Arsenal's title hopes suffered a setback on Saturday after it fell 2-1 at home to a Bournemouth side that stretches its unbeaten run to 12 games in the Premier League.

The result leaves Arsenal nine points ahead of Manchester City with two more games played. Manchester City will visit Chelsea on Sunday and host Arsenal next weekend.

Eli Junior Kroupi put Bournemouth ahead with a close-range finish following a corner in the 17th minute, while Viktor Gyokeres equalized with a 35th-minute penalty.

Alex Scott decided the game in the 74th minute, keeping his nerve to beat goalkeeper David Raya after a one-touch passing move from Bournemouth.

Liverpool moved fifth with a 2-0 home win over Fulham thanks to goals from 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha and Mohamed Salah.

Igor Thiago's two goals looked as if they were going to give Brentford a vital home win over Everton to lift Keith Andrews' side up to sixth, but Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's injury time goal denied Brentford three points in a game it led twice, with Thiago's third-minute penalty cancelled out by Beto's equalizer.

Two goals from Mats Wieffer powered Brighton to a 2-0 win away to Burnley, all-but confirming Burnley's return to the Championship.

West Ham United climbed out of the bottom three in convincing style on Friday night with a 4-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Konstantinos Mavropanos and Valentin Castellanos scored two goals each to give West Ham three vital points, with Jarrod Bowen providing two assists.

Bournemouth's manager Andoni Iraola instructs during the English Premier League match between Arsenal and Bournemouth in London, Britain, April 11, 2026. (Xinhua)

Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta reacts during the English Premier League match between Arsenal and Bournemouth in London, Britain, April 11, 2026. (Xinhua)

Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta instructs during the English Premier League match between Arsenal and Bournemouth in London, Britain, April 11, 2026. (Xinhua)

Arsenal's Martin Zubimendi (2nd L) vies with Bournemouth's Ryan Christie during the English Premier League match between Arsenal and Bournemouth in London, Britain, April 11, 2026. (Xinhua)

Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi (2nd R) celebrates scoring with teammates during the English Premier League match between Arsenal and Bournemouth in London, Britain, April 11, 2026. (Xinhua)

Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres takes a penalty kick to score during the English Premier League match between Arsenal and Bournemouth in London, Britain, April 11, 2026. (Xinhua)

Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres (R) celebrates scoring with Martin Zubimendi during the English Premier League match between Arsenal and Bournemouth in London, Britain, April 11, 2026. (Xinhua)