Premier League: Arsenal, Liverpool drop as Manchester City gain in race for fourth successive title

Both Arsenal and Liverpool dropped points on Sunday as Manchester City took the pole position in their pursuit for a fourth consecutive Premier League title.
Liverpool fell to a shocking 1-0 defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace at Anfield while Aston Villa stunned Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Eberechi Eze’s 14th minute goal was all Palace needed to secure the maximum points and launched a huge blow in the Reds’ race for the league title in Jurgen Klopp’s last season in charge of the team.
Jean-Philippe Mateta could have doubled the lead for Palace in the game after Virgil van Dijk slipped, allowing the Frenchman to drive the ball into the box.
He ended up chipping the ball over Alisson Becker but was cleared off the line by Andrew Robertson.
Wataru Endo and Luis Diaz came close to scoring for Liverpool in the game but an effort from the latter struck the crossbar while goalkeeper Dean Henderson saved the former’s flying shot.
It was the same fate for another title contender, Arsenal in North London as Mikel Arteta’s men hit a major roadblock in their push for the league title after last season’s disappointment.
Aston Villa were able to keep Arsenal, who has the best goal difference this season at bay for most part of the game before capitalising on their chances to stun the Gunners in the last 10 minutes of the match.
Leon Bailey opened the scoring for Aston Villa in the 84th minute before Ollie Watkins doubled the lead three minutes later which was enough to upset Arsenal in their own backyard.
Defeat for Liverpool and Arsenal allowed Manchester City, who defeated Luton Town 5-1 on Saturday, move top of the league with 73 points– two points ahead of the other two contenders.
With six games each left for the three teams to play this season, any of them could still go on and clinch the title.
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