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Premier League: Villa keep top-five dream alive, City leave it late,  Saints strike at the death

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Premier League: Villa keep top-five dream alive, City leave it late,  Saints strike at the death
Premier League: Villa keep top-five dream alive, City leave it late,  Saints strike at the death

New Delhi: Matchday 33 of the Premier League served up a thrilling reminder that the race for Europe is far from over. With just five games left for most teams, every point now feels decisive and this weekend’s results only added fuel to the fire. Aston Villa laid down a serious marker in the chase for Champions League football, hammering Newcastle 4-1 at Villa Park in an emphatic second-half showing. Manchester City left it late at Goodison Park, but found two late goals to squeeze past a gritty Everton side. 

Elsewhere, Brentford dazzled in a 4-2 win over Brighton, while Bournemouth missed a golden chance to close in on the top seven, drawing 0-0 against a 10-man Crystal Palace. West Ham’s winless run stretched to six after Southampton grabbed a stoppage-time equaliser. The margins are fine, and as the season nears its climax, every result now reshapes the table and the stakes.

Everton 0-2 Manchester City

 

Manchester City left it late but eventually found their rhythm, securing a vital 2-0 win over Everton in their pursuit of a Champions League spot. After struggling to break down a disciplined Everton defence for much of the game, Pep Guardiola’s side came alive in the final 15 minutes. Matt O’Reilly broke the deadlock in the 84th minute, showing striker’s instinct to slot in from close range after a well-placed cross by Nunes. Substitute Mateo Kovacic sealed the win deep into stoppage time, firing into the bottom corner from Ilkay Gundogan’s cutback.

Everton had their moments when Tarkowski hit the post with a header, and Doucoure saw a close-range shot blocked by Gvardiol but ultimately lacked the cutting edge. City, now unbeaten in five league games, next will face Aston Villa at home on Tuesday. David Moyes’ side will look to regroup during their week-long break before travelling to Chelsea.

Crystal Palace 0-0 Bournemouth

Bournemouth missed a golden opportunity to close the gap on the Premier League’s top seven as they were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by 10-man Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

The hosts were reduced to 10 men just before half-time when Chris Richards received a second yellow card for pulling back Justin Kluivert. Palace were left fuming at the decision, particularly as Bournemouth’s Alex Scott escaped a second booking earlier for a foul on Ismaila Sarr, adding to the tension in a scrappy contest.

Despite having the numerical advantage for the entire second half, Andoni Iraola’s side failed to break down a stubborn Palace defence that remained well-drilled and disciplined. Bournemouth saw plenty of the ball but struggled to carve out meaningful chances, with Evanilson’s tame header from Adam Smith’s cross one of few efforts on target.

It was a match low on clear goal-scoring opportunities, especially after the break, with the home side content to sit deep and frustrate the visitors. The Cherries lacked urgency and creativity in the final third, leaving their manager visibly frustrated on the touchline.

The draw moves Bournemouth to 49 points, setting a new Premier League record for the club, but they remain five points behind seventh-placed Aston Villa, who still have a game in hand. Palace, meanwhile, will take heart from a resilient defensive showing after going a man down, despite their frustrations with the officiating. While Iraola’s men will see it as two points dropped, Palace can consider it a well-earned point given the circumstances.

West Ham 1-1 Southampton

Southampton earned a dramatic 1-1 draw at West Ham thanks to a stoppage-time strike from Ugochukwu. Jarrod Bowen had fired the Hammers ahead early in the second half, curling home a left-footed finish just inside the box in the 47th minute after a quick counter.

The first half offered little in terms of excitement, with Sulemana’s effort off the bar in the 31st minute being the standout moment. West Ham appeared to be in control after their goal and looked set to end their winless streak, but they sat too deep in the closing stages.

In stoppage time, Kyle Walker-Peters burst into the box and saw his cross blocked, but the loose ball fell kindly for Ugochukwu, who volleyed home into the bottom corner. Both sides had limited chances throughout the game, and a draw felt like a fair result. West Ham are now six games without a win, while Southampton host Fulham next.

Brentford 4-2 Brighton

Brentford picked up a thrilling 4-2 win over Brighton in a match full of drama and goals. The Bees made a fast start, taking the lead inside nine minutes through Bryan Mbeumo after great work by Keane Lewis-Potter. Brighton responded in first-half stoppage time when Danny Welbeck headed home from a lovely Wieffer cross, but Mbeumo struck again just after the break, this time helped by a Lewis Dunk deflection.

The hosts added a third shortly after as Mbeumo turned provider for Yoane Wissa, who tapped in at the far post. Brighton’s hopes of a comeback were dealt a blow when Joao Pedro was sent off after a clash with Nathan Collins. Mitoma pulled one back late on, but Brentford sealed the win in stoppage time with a powerful Norgaard header from Jensen’s delivery. The win lifts Brentford to 11th, one point behind Brighton, who now sit 10th.

Aston Villa 4-1 Newcastle United

Aston Villa delivered a dominant second-half performance to secure a commanding 4-1 win over Newcastle United at Villa Park. Ollie Watkins opened the scoring in just 33 seconds, his deflected strike putting him level with Gabriel Agbonlahor as Villa’s joint-top Premier League scorer. Newcastle responded through Fabian Schar, who headed in a Harvey Barnes cross to make it 1-1 before the break.

But after the restart, Villa took full control. Watkins slipped in Ian Maatsen, who calmly restored their lead with a composed finish. Just minutes later, Dan Burn accidentally turned Jacob Ramsey’s driven pass into his own net. The scoring didn’t stop there, as substitute Amadou Onana sealed the win with a thunderous effort from outside the box.

The result ends Newcastle’s five-game winning run and keeps the top-five race wide open. Villa move to sixth, level on points with Nottingham Forest, while Newcastle cling to third place.

 Villa thrash Newcastle, City edge Everton, and Saints stun West Ham in dramatic Premier League matchday 33 as top-five race intensifies.  Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today

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