Arsenal 1 – 0 Burnley
Arsenal secured a nervy 1-0 win over already-relegated Burnley and could be crowned Premier League champions on Tuesday if Manchester City fail to win against Bournemouth.
But if City beat the Cherries, who are on a 16-game unbeaten run ahead of the game, live on Sky Sportsthen the Premier League title race goes to the final day.
Tuesday 19th May 7:00pm
Kick off 7:30pm
After the team bus was welcomed in by a raucous support, Arsenal took their time to get going despite a very attacking line-up put out by Mikel Arteta – but their pressure eventually led to a goal.
After Leandro Trossard struck the post and Martin Odegaard saw a good chance deflected wide, Kai Havertz nodded Bukayo Saka’s corner in for Arsenal’s 24th goal from a set-piece in the league this season – their 18th from a corner.
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Kai Havertz heads home to put Arsenal in front!
With goal difference potentially crucial in the final week of the season, Arsenal pushed for more as Eberechi Eze struck the bar – then saw a goalbound close-range header blocked by Maxime Esteve.
Then came a moment of controversy as Havertz put in a high challenge on Lesley Ugochukwu. Referee Paul Tierney booked the Arsenal striker but VAR James Bell looked at serious foul play and opted to stick with the on-field decision.
“It’s a horrible one, it’s vicious from Havertz,” said Gary Neville on co-commentary.
“I think this is a red. There’s no way you’re getting the ball, you can only hurt the player there.
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Kai Havertz avoids sending off after late challenge
“I don’t think (the VAR call is) right – he’s a lucky boy. I’d get him off the pitch straight away.”
Burnley did not threaten the Arsenal goal too much, despite a nervy atmosphere at the Emirates, but who knows what would have happened had the Gunners lost a player.
Instead, Arsenal stand on the brink of the title. Arteta’s side are nearly there.
Jackson: Havertz should have seen red
Burnley caretaker head coach Mike Jackson:
“I’ve seen it back and the way the game is reffed today – and I don’t like people sent off – it’s a red card. He’s dangerous, leaving the floor, it’s cynical to break up play. Disappointed we didn’t get that, it changes the game in our favour.
“The speed that it goes at. I know the ref has done a tough job. Frame by frame, you can see that from a number of angles.
Has his team just played against the champions? “Potentially, yeah. There are still games to play. You know what can happen. Take nothing away from that team at all.
“They’re really strong in all phases of the game. The one thing that they’ve got that a lot of Premier League teams don’t is that real defensive side. It’s their foundation. That will go on to win them the title.”
Neville and Carragher on if the title will be decided on Tuesday
Sky Sports’ Gary Neville:
“From a Man City side, that result can hurt them because it is just two games to go for them and one for Arsenal now.
“They may go to the game tomorrow feeling a little bit disappointed with the result today.”
Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher:
“You think of the Aston Villa situation, if they win the Europa League and celebrate what are they then like against Man City?
“The last time Oliver Glasner was in a European final, the game before, four days before, he only changed one player.
“Palace don’t have a huge squad, so if you go back on what Oliver Glasner’s done in the past, he played pretty much a full-strength team.
“The nerves will really kick in for Arsenal this week if Man City win tomorrow. You saw tonight – it was a little bit edgy.
“It might do them a little bit of good being away from home. You can feel the tension in the stadium.”
More to follow…
