Arsenal title bid fades after Manchester United draw as Chelsea go fourth

NEW DELHI: Chelsea's 1-0 victory against Leicester on Sunday strengthened their ambition to qualify for the Champions League, while Manchester United held the Gunners to a 1-1 draw, dealing a further blow to Arsenal's waning prospects of winning the Premier League.
There was no room for error as Arsenal arrived at Old Trafford 24 hours after Liverpool's 3-1 victory over Southampton on Saturday put them 16 points ahead of the leaders at the top.
However, in stoppage time of the first half, United captain Bruno Fernandes gave the home team the lead with an incredible free kick.
In the 74th minute, Declan Rice equalized for Arsenal with a brilliant finish from right inside the United box.
However, Mikel Arteta's second-place team failed to find a winner and is currently 15 points behind Liverpool.
After finishing as runners-up for the last two seasons, Arsenal appears certain to lose the championship again even though they still have a game left against Liverpool.
In Arne Slot's first season as manager, Liverpool is vying for a record-tying 20th English championship, their first since 2020.
To secure the trophy, the Anfield team needs to accumulate a maximum of 16 more points from their final nine games.
As the pressure to win the title grows, Arsenal has once again faltered, with a run of three league games without a victory essentially giving the trophy to Liverpool.
"We lacked the knife in the last 20 to 25 metres. When you could sense United were tired we didn't capitalise because we rushed the game, gave the balls away, and could have ended up losing," Arteta said.
"I will defend my players all the time but in those moments we have to be better."
With just one victory in their previous six games in all competitions, struggling Manchester United is currently in 14th place.
Thousands of United supporters demonstrated against Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family, co-owners, before to the game, adding to the melancholy surrounding Old Trafford.
"This club will never die, that is clear. You feel it in the streets. We want to give them a lot of effort. In the future, we will not play like that," United boss Ruben Amorim said.
Marc Cucurella put Chelsea ahead of Manchester City and into fourth position at Stamford Bridge with a long-range rocket in the second half.
In the competition for the top four finish that secures a Champions League berth, the Blues lead City by two points.
Chelsea replied to manager Enzo Maresca's challenge to win all of their remaining home games, but it was only their fourth win in their last 12 league games.
Cole Palmer of Chelsea was replaced after missing his first penalty kick of his career, leaving the England forward without a goal or an assist in seven league outings.
Leicester, now in second place in the league, has dropped five straight games and is six points from relegation.
Jadon Sancho was poleaxed by Victor Kristiansen's awkward challenge, giving Chelsea a first-half penalty kick.
Palmer, who is often such a vicious penalty taker, grabbed the ball, but Mads Hermansen made an incredible stop to save him from scoring.
On the hour, Spanish defender Cucurella fired a 25-yard shot into the bottom corner to give Chelsea the lead in dramatic way.
In north London, Tottenham rallied from a two-goal deficit to tie 2-2 with Bournemouth, sparing manager Ange Postecoglou from yet another humiliating loss.
Postecoglou's team is now in 13th place in the Premier League and has lost three straight games across all competitions.
Thursday's Europa League last 16 first leg saw Tottenham lose 1-0 at AZ Alkmaar.
After Pedro Porro foolishly gave up control, Marcus Tavernier finished off Milos Kerkez's brilliant cross to give Tottenham the lead in the 42nd minute.
In the 65th minute, Evanilson sprinted onto Justin Kluivert's pass and finished calmly past Guglielmo Vicario to give Bournemouth another goal.
Two minutes later, Tottenham midfielder Pape Sarr cut the deficit when he misread a cross that somehow dipped in at the far post, catching Bournemouth keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
In the 84th minute, Kepa's desperation lunge on Son Heung-min resulted in a penalty, completing Tottenham's escape.
Son scored his first goal in ten games with a composed shot from the penalty spot, bringing his season total to 11 goals in all competitions.