New Delhi: Matchday 35 of the Premier League added more fuel to an already intense title and European race. Tielemans kept Aston Villa’s hopes alive for the Champions League spot. In another fixture, Jamie Vardy scored his 199th goal for Leicester City as they won a remarkable home win. Ipswich Town came from two goals down to earn a hard-fought point against Everton.
Elsewhere, Arsenal once again falters as they lost to Bournemouth 1-2. The margins are fine, and as the season nears its climax, every result now reshapes the table and the stakes.
Aston Villa 1-0 Fulham
Three points secured. Nine left to fight for. 👊 pic.twitter.com/AYS4bWKNLn
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 3, 2025
Aston Villa edged closer to Champions League qualification with a narrow 1-0 win over Fulham at Villa Park. The game’s only goal came early as Youri Tielemans powered home a header from a John McGinn corner in the 12th minute, making the midfielder’s 10th goal involvement of the season.
Fulham thought they had equalised shortly after the break through Ryan Sessegnon, but his volley was ruled out for handball after VAR intervened. The Cottagers created a few chances but couldn’t find the breakthrough. Harry Wilson and Joachim Andersen saw half-openings go begging while Villa looked more likely to score again.
Bernd Leno’s leg denied Ollie Watkins after breaking through, and Donyell Malen came inches away from doubling the lead, first firing wide from close range and then crashing a shot against the crossbar in stoppage time.
Villa’s set-piece threat once again proved crucial. Only Arsenal and Crystal Palace have more set-piece goals this season, and Villa’s 15th from such a situation keeps them seventh in the table with 60 points, level on points with Chelsea and Nottingham Forest. Meanwhile, Fulham stayed eighth with 51 points and risked dropping further down the standings by the weekend’s end.
Leicester City 2-0 Southampton
Three points on Filbert Way 🦊#LEISOU pic.twitter.com/MG2taashO4
— Leicester City (@LCFC) May 3, 2025
Jamie Vardy and Jordan Ayew were on target as Leicester City finally gave their home fans something to cheer about, ending a dreadful nine-game losing streak at the King Power Stadium with a 2-0 win over fellow relegation strugglers Southampton.
Leicester hadn’t scored at home in the league since early December, going nine matches without finding the net, the longest run in English top-flight history. But that changed in the 17th minute when Bilal El Khannouss and Luke Thomas combined down the left, allowing Vardy to smash home his 199th goal for the club in emphatic fashion.
The match took an unusual turn when referee David Webb had to be substituted after a bizarre collision with Ayew. It was Vardy who spotted the injured official and blew the whistle himself to stop play, which is a rare scene in any match.
Ayew then made his presence felt more conventionally, drilling a low shot into the net after his free-kick rebounded off the wall in first-half stoppage time.
The result means Leicester now have 21 points from 35 games, just one behind Ipswich. Southampton, who had a goal ruled out for offside, are now confirmed to finish bottom for a record-equalling third time.
Everton 2-2 Ipswich Town
Full-time. pic.twitter.com/fEBjd56B4y
— Everton (@Everton) May 3, 2025
Ipswich Town showed real grit to claw back from two goals down and secure a 2-2 draw against Everton at Goodison Park in what was the penultimate Premier League game at the historic ground.
Everton looked in control early on, with their fans in full voice and the team responding with two quick goals. Beto opened the scoring with a smart header into the bottom corner, before Dwight McNeil curled in a beauty from distance to double the lead by the 36th minute.
But just when it seemed like the Toffees were cruising, Julio Enciso pulled one back with a stunning long-range effort that breathed life into the visitors. The Paraguayan forward was Ipswich’s brightest spark, constantly threatening with his movement and eye for goal.
The second half saw far fewer chances, but Ipswich stayed patient and found their moment. Substitute George Hirst ghosted in at the back post in the 79th minute to nod home the equaliser, sparking wild celebrations in the away end.
The point keeps Ipswich 18th, one behind Leicester, while Everton’s winless run extends to four games. Despite their early dominance, the Toffees once again let crucial points slip through their fingers.
Arsenal 1-2 Bournemouth
UP THE CHERRIES 🍒 pic.twitter.com/WQ9lr5HHSI
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) May 3, 2025
Bournemouth reignited their push for European football with a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Arsenal at the Emirates, piling pressure on Mikel Arteta’s side ahead of their Champions League semi-final second leg.
Arsenal looked comfortable in the first half, with Declan Rice coolly slotting home after a delicate through-ball from Martin Odegaard in the 34th minute. The Gunners had chances to extend their lead, while Bournemouth’s Evanilson squandered two clear openings before the break.
But just like in their previous outing against Crystal Palace, Arsenal failed to carry their momentum into the second half. Bournemouth came out with energy and belief, and were rewarded when Dean Huijsen rose highest to head in Antoine Semenyo’s long throw-in in the 67th minute, silencing the home crowd.
The Cherries then completed the turnaround eight minutes later, with Evanilson bundling in from close range after a flick-on by Marcus Tavernier. A lengthy VAR check followed, but the goal stood.
The defeat means Arsenal have now dropped 21 points from winning positions this season, their joint-worst tally in a single Premier League campaign. Bournemouth, meanwhile, jump to eighth, keeping their European dream alive.
Tielemans lifts Villa, Vardy scores 199th for Leicester, Ipswich battle back at Everton, and Bournemouth rally to shock Arsenal in Premier League matchday 35. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
