Arsenal Lead Premier League by Five Points as City Stumble in Title Race

Key facts

• Arsenal have 76 points from 35 matches, leading Manchester City by five points.
• Manchester City have 71 points but hold one game in hand.
• Viktor Gyökeres scored twice and provided an assist in Arsenal's 3-0 win over Fulham.
• Bukayo Saka scored one goal and assisted another in the same match.
• Manchester City drew 3-3 with Everton after Jérémy Doku scored two late goals.
• Nottingham Forest beat Chelsea 3-1, with Taiwo Awoniyi scoring twice and winning a penalty.
• Manchester United moved to 64 points after a 3-2 win over Liverpool.
• Liverpool and Aston Villa are level on 58 points, with Aston Villa behind on goal difference.

Title Race Tightens After Matchday 35

Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Fulham on Saturday propelled them to 76 points, five clear of Manchester City, who could only manage a 3-3 draw at Everton on Monday. With three matches left in the 2025/26 season, the Gunners hold the advantage, but City’s game in hand means the title race remains unresolved. The result at Hill Dickinson Stadium was particularly costly for City. Despite Erling Haaland’s goal and two stunning strikes from Jérémy Doku—including a stoppage-time equalizer—the defending champions dropped two points. Doku opened the scoring with a curling left-footed effort just before halftime and repeated the feat in the seventh minute of added time to salvage a draw. Everton’s comeback was led by substitute Barry, who scored twice in four minutes after coming on in the 64th minute. His first came from close range after Marc Guehi’s backpass fell short, and he tapped home his second to put Everton 3-1 up before Doku’s late heroics.

Arsenal’s Attack Fires as Gyökeres and Saka Shine

Arsenal’s victory was built on a dominant first-half performance. Viktor Gyökeres opened the scoring from close range after Bukayo Saka’s pinpoint cross, then turned provider, slipping in Saka for the Gunners’ second goal. Gyökeres added his second of the match early in the second half to seal a comprehensive win. The Swedish striker’s display earned him a WhoScored rating of 8.74, while Saka—who played only 45 minutes—received an 8.64 rating. Saka created four chances, including two big ones, and scored from one of his two shots. Both players were included in WhoScored’s Premier League Team of the Week, while Gyökeres also made Troy Deeney’s BBC Team of the Week. Deeney praised Gyökeres, saying: “Two goals and an assist against Fulham, in the season where people are asking him to do more, including myself. You have to give him credit – 21 goals in all competitions, fair play to him.” Deeney also considered Mikel Arteta for manager of the week but ultimately chose Nottingham Forest’s Vitor Pereira.

Top-Four Battle Intensifies as Manchester United Gain Edge

Manchester United strengthened their grip on a top-four place with a 3-2 win over Liverpool, moving to 64 points. Liverpool, stuck on 58 points, now face a fierce battle for Champions League qualification alongside Aston Villa, who also have 58 points but trail on goal difference after a 2-1 home loss to Tottenham Hotspur. The defeat to Spurs was a missed opportunity for Villa, who could have leapfrogged Liverpool. Instead, both teams are locked in a direct fight for fourth place, with the remaining fixtures likely to decide the outcome. Liverpool’s schedule includes matches against Chelsea, Aston Villa, and Brentford, while Villa face Burnley, Liverpool, and Manchester City. The head-to-head clash between Liverpool and Aston Villa is set to be decisive. With both teams level on points, that match could determine who secures the final Champions League berth.

Relegation Fight Heats Up as Nottingham Forest Boost Survival Hopes

Nottingham Forest’s 3-1 win away to Chelsea was a major boost to their Premier League survival hopes. Taiwo Awoniyi, making only his second start of the season, delivered a complete striker’s performance. He scored with a fine header after two minutes, won a penalty that Igor Jesus converted, and added his second goal seven minutes into the second half. The victory moved Forest closer to safety, while Chelsea’s defeat left them in mid-table. Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur’s win over Aston Villa, combined with West Ham United’s 3-0 loss to Brentford, allowed Spurs to climb out of the bottom three. Conor Gallagher scored the opening goal with a superb low strike from range and contributed three tackles and six recoveries.

Matchweek 35 Player of the Week Voting Open

The Premier League has opened voting for the official Player of the Matchweek, with seven nominees from the weekend’s action. Fans can cast their vote until 12:00 BST on Wednesday, May 6, with the winner announced later that day. Among the standout performers are Awoniyi, Barry, Doku, Gallagher, and Gyökeres, each of whom delivered match-defining contributions. The award recognizes individual brilliance in a round that reshaped the title race, top-four battle, and relegation fight.

What Remains: Three Matchdays to Decide the Season

With only three matches left, every fixture carries enormous weight. Arsenal’s five-point lead gives them breathing room, but Manchester City’s game in hand means the gap could shrink to two points. The Gunners must maintain their form while City will look to capitalize on any slip. The top-four race is equally precarious. Liverpool and Aston Villa are separated only by goal difference, and their upcoming head-to-head could be the deciding factor. Manchester United, with 64 points, are well placed but not yet assured of a Champions League spot. At the bottom, Nottingham Forest’s win has given them renewed hope, but the relegation battle remains tight. The final three matchdays will determine which teams survive and which face the drop.

The bottom line

• Arsenal lead the Premier League by five points with three matches remaining, but Manchester City have a game in hand.
• Viktor Gyökeres and Bukayo Saka were instrumental in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Fulham, each scoring and assisting.
• Manchester City’s 3-3 draw with Everton, featuring two late goals from Jérémy Doku, kept the title race alive.
• Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Liverpool moved them to 64 points, strengthening their top-four position.
• Liverpool and Aston Villa are level on 58 points, with a decisive head-to-head match still to come.
• Nottingham Forest’s 3-1 victory over Chelsea, led by Taiwo Awoniyi’s two goals, boosted their survival hopes.