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EPL: Arsenal mark Wenger's final home game with win; Chelsea close on top four

May 06, 2018

IMAGE: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger applauds the fans after the match. Photograph: Ian Walton/Reuters

Arsenal thrashed Burnley 5-0 at the Emirates on Sunday to pay their manager Arsene Wenger the kind of tribute he would have wanted in his final home game after 22 years in charge.

 

Arsenal put their midweek exit from the Europa League - and any hope of Champions League football next season - behind them with a pair of goals from Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and strikes from Sead Kolasinac, Alexandre Lacazette and Alex Iwobi.

Wenger was given a guard of honour from both teams and the match officials before kickoff, and received roars of support throughout the match from the home fans, most of whom had donned their complementary red "Merci Arsene" T-shirts.

Burnley, who narrowly avoided relegation last season but are now preparing themselves for their first season of European football since 1967, had been hoping to pull level on points with Arsenal.

Instead the result means the Gunners will finish the season in sixth place, with Burnley one place behind them in seventh.

Chelsea close on top four with win over Liverpool

IMAGE: Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta diverts the ball back to Thibaut Courtois as Liverpool's Roberto Firmino and Chelsea's Victor Moses look on. Photograph: Eddie Keogh /Reuters

Chelsea moved within two points of fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League after a 1-0 victory over Liverpool thanks to an Olivier Giroud header at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Spurs’ surprise loss at relegation-threatened West Bromwich Albion on Saturday opened the door for Chelsea to close the gap on the top four and they capitalised on that lifeline with an assured performance over the Champions League finalists.

Frenchman Giroud headed what proved to be the winning goal in the 32nd minute, meaning the striker has now scored 17 league goals with his head since the start of 2015-16, more than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues.

Liverpool pressed but Chelsea held on to move within three points of the visitors who are third. On Wednesday, Chelsea have a game in hand over the Merseysiders at home to Huddersfield Town as they bid to set up a thrilling final day next Sunday.

Huddersfield boost survival hopes with goalless draw at Man City

IMAGE: Huddersfield Town's Christopher Schindler clears off the line. Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

Champions Manchester City will have to wait to break the Premier League points record after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Huddersfield Town at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

City, who lifted the Premier League trophy in front of their fans after the match, mustered only two shots on target all game, as relegation-threatened Huddersfield dug in for a vital point.

The draw means City have 94 points, one short of the season record set by Chelsea back in 2004-05, but they still have two games left to play.

Huddersfield gave their survival hopes a huge boost with a point that moves them three clear of the bottom three ahead of their midweek trip to Chelsea.

Source: REUTERS
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