List of All Articles with Tag 'epgb sports'

Manchester City are on the brink of securing a third successive Premier League crown. Arsenal’s defeat to Brighton, coupled with Manchester City’s comfortable victory against Everton, leaves Pep Guardiola’s side four points clear with the end of the season drawing near. The London club had led the way for a long time this year as a young side flourished under the management of Mikel Arteta, a former assistant to Guardiola. But three consecutive draws against Liverpool, West Ham and Southampton weakened Arsenal’s hold on top spot, before a heavy 4-1 defeat to their title rivals allowed Manchester City to seize the initiative. The league leaders have played one fewer game than Arsenal, who have only two games left to play and are on 81 points. That means that the highest tally that Arteta’s side can achieve is 87 points. Manchester City currently have 85 points - one more win will be enough to make certain of a fifth title under Guardiola. They next host Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday 21 May, which will be their first chance to make sure of another crown. That fixture is their only remaining game on home turf, with trips to Brighton and Brentford closing Manchester City’s season. Of course, they could yet be crowned in absentia - if Arsenal lose to Nottingham Forest on Saturday 20 May, they will not be able to overhaul the table-toppers. Indeed, even a draw at the City Ground would leave Arsenal needing Manchester City to both lose their three remaining games and suffer an improbable goal difference drop to keep faint title hopes alive. Read More Arteta apologises to fans as Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge fades away Man City brush aside Everton to close in on title as Brighton stun Arsenal Man City being driven to title by man of the moment – and it’s not Erling Haaland

Devin Haney and Vasiliy Lomachenko will meet in a huge main event in Las Vegas this weekend, as the American defends the undisputed lightweight titles against the Ukrainian. The unbeaten Haney, 24, unified the belts against George Kambosos Jr last June, outpointing the Australian in his own backyard before doing so again in October to retain the titles. Prior to those bouts, Kambosos Jr was unbeaten and had taken three of the belts from Teofimo Lopez in 2021. In turn, Lopez had stunned Lomachenko with a decision win in 2020 to become unified champion. At 35, Lomachenko, who has held world titles in multiple weight classes, could be running out of time to recapture gold. As impressive as the two-time Olympic gold medalist’s career has been, he faces a stiff test in Haney. Here’s all you need to know as two pound-for-pound stars go head to head. When is it? The fight will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday 20 May. The main card is due to begin at 1am BST on Sunday 21 May (5pm PT, 7pm CT, 8pm ET), with ring walks for the main event expected at approximately 4am BST (8pm PT, 10pm CT, 11pm ET). How can I watch it? In the UK, the event will air live on Sky Sports as well as the broadcaster’s website and Sky Go app. In the US, ESPN+ will stream the fights live on pay-per-view. Odds Haney – 2/5 Lomachenko – 21/10 Draw – 12/1 Full odds via Betway. Full card (subject to change) Devin Haney (C) vs Vasiliy Lomachenko (IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO lightweight titles) Juno Nakatani vs Andrew Maloney (vacant WBO super-flyweight title) Raymond Muratalla vs Jeremia Nakathila (lightweight) Oscar Valdez vs Adam Lopez (super-featherweight) Floyd Diaz vs Luis Saavedra (super-bantamweight) Nico Ali Walsh vs Danny Rosenberger (middleweight) Abdullah Mason vs Desmond Lyons (lightweight) Amari Jones vs Pachino Hill (middleweight) Emiliano Vargas vs Rafael Jasso (lightweight) Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Katie Taylor vs Chantelle Cameron live stream: How to watch fight online and on TV Katie Taylor and Chantelle Cameron are shaming their male counterparts Who is KSI? From ‘endearing’ class clown to YouTuber who has changed the face of boxing How to watch Haney vs Lomachenko online and on TV Who is fighting on Katie Taylor vs Chantelle Cameron undercard? What time does Katie Taylor vs Chantelle Cameron start in UK and US?

Undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney defends his titles against Vasiliy Lomachenko in a blockbuster bout this weekend. American Haney unified the belts against George Kambosos Jr last June in the Australian’s home country, before returning to Kambosos’ backyard to retain the titles in a rematch in October. On both occasions, the unbeaten Haney – who is still just 24 – clinically outboxed his opponent, who was previously undefeated and had taken three of the belts from Teofimo Lopez in 2021. Prior to that, Lopez handed Lomachenko a surprising points defeat in 2020 to become unified champion, but the Ukrainian has responded with three straight wins to set up this fight with Haney in Las Vegas. At 35, Lomachenko could be running out of time to become a world champion again, and as impressive as the southpaw’s career has been, he faces a stiff test in Haney. Here’s all you need to know. When is it? The fight will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday 20 May. The main card is due to begin at 1am BST on Sunday 21 May (5pm PT, 7pm CT, 8pm ET), with ring walks for the main event expected at approximately 4am BST (8pm PT, 10pm CT, 11pm ET). How can I watch it? In the UK, the event will air live on Sky Sports as well as the broadcaster’s website and Sky Go app. In the US, ESPN+ will stream the fights live on pay-per-view. Odds Haney – 2/5 Lomachenko – 21/10 Draw – 12/1 Full odds via Betway. Full card (subject to change) Devin Haney (C) vs Vasiliy Lomachenko (IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO lightweight titles) Juno Nakatani vs Andrew Maloney (vacant WBO super-flyweight title) Raymond Muratalla vs Jeremia Nakathila (lightweight) Oscar Valdez vs Adam Lopez (super-featherweight) Floyd Diaz vs Luis Saavedra (super-bantamweight) Nico Ali Walsh vs Danny Rosenberger (middleweight) Abdullah Mason vs Desmond Lyons (lightweight) Amari Jones vs Pachino Hill (middleweight) Emiliano Vargas vs Rafael Jasso (lightweight) Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Katie Taylor vs Chantelle Cameron live stream: How to watch fight online and on TV Katie Taylor and Chantelle Cameron are shaming their male counterparts Who is KSI? From ‘endearing’ class clown to YouTuber who has changed the face of boxing Who is fighting on Katie Taylor vs Chantelle Cameron undercard? What time does Katie Taylor vs Chantelle Cameron start in UK and US? How to watch Katie Taylor vs Chantelle Cameron online and on TV

Katie Taylor and Chantelle Cameron will clash in a huge fight in Dublin this weekend, as the latter defends her undisputed super-lightweight titles against the home fighter. Taylor, the undisputed lightweight champion, and Cameron will both enter the 3Arena undefeated, with Taylor’s record reading 22-0 (6 knockouts) and Cameron’s at 17-0 (8 KOs). Last time out, Taylor outpointed Karen Carabajal in October to retain her four lightweight belts, and now she challenges for the four held by Cameron, who beat Jessica McCaskill on points in November. Taylor is still eyeing a rematch with unified featherweight champion Amanda Serrano, but she cannot afford to overlook her British opponent this weekend. Here’s all you need to know. We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. When is it? The fight will take place at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday 20 May. The main card is due to begin at 7pm BST (11am PT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET), with ring walks for the main event expected at approximately 10pm BST (2pm PT, 4pm CT, 5pm ET). How can I watch it? The event will be streamed live on Dazn, a subscription to which is available at three different price points: Monthly Saver (£9.99 per month, with a 12-month commitment), Flexible (£19.99 per month, and can be cancelled at any time), and Annual Super Saver (£99.99 as a one-off payment). Odds Taylor – 8/13 Cameron – 7/5 Draw – 11/1 Full odds via Betway. Full card (subject to change) Katie Taylor vs Chantelle Cameron (for Cameron’s IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO women’s super-lightweight titles) Terri Harper (C) vs Cecelia Braekhus (WBA women’s super-welterweight title) Dennis Hogan vs James Metcalf (super-welterweight) Gary Cully vs Jose Felix (lightweight) Thomas Carty vs Jay McFarlane (heavyweight) Caoimhin Agyarko vs Grant Dennis (super-welterweight) Maisey Rose Courtney vs Kate Radomska (flyweight) Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Katie Taylor and Chantelle Cameron are shaming their male counterparts Who is KSI? From ‘endearing’ class clown to YouTuber who has changed the face of boxing The Independent’s pound-for-pound boxing rankings

Manchester United are considering a move for Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel - despite ongoing contract talks with David de Gea. While Erik ten Hag wants the Spanish goalkeeper to stay, the Dutch coach is also intent on creating competition and ensuring he has different tactical options. Kobel is one of those who fits the profile required, especially given his ability with his feet, something that has been an issue for De Gea this season. Dortmund, aware of long-standing interest from a number of clubs, including Chelsea, are intent on offering Kobel a new deal themselves. The Switzerland international’s current contract runs until 2026 but has established himself as one of the leading goalkeepers in the Bundesliga this season, and among the most promising in the game. While the 25-year-old did make headlines following a high-profile error in Dortmund’s showdown with Bayern Munich, he is seen as having been influential to a first proper title challenge in years. Read More Mikel Arteta knows why Arsenal suffered title agony - here’s what must come next Erik ten Hag finally within sight of matching a past Manchester United great... no, not that one Bruno Fernandes warns Alejandro Garnacho he cannot relax at Manchester United

It was a eulogy from Pep Guardiola about a midfielder. He reflected on the excellence he can show when in a deeper role and celebrated his goalscoring exploits. He said how keen he is to keep him and that the club hierarchy know that. He was hailing Ilkay Gundogan, understandably after a tour de force. Just as predictably, Kalvin Phillips was not the object of his affection. The German’s afternoon at Goodison Park brought two goals. The Englishman’s brought two minutes of football. One could be bound for Barcelona on a free transfer in a couple of months. The other still has five years left on his Manchester City contract. Perhaps, when Gundogan plays as majestically as he has against Leeds and Everton, it is unfair to compare anyone to him. Yet in effect, Guardiola had to when Rodri sat out the games against Sheffield United and Leeds; on each occasion, he opted for Gundogan to anchor the midfield. Phillips was supposed to be the specialist defensive midfielder. Instead, he is the specialist substitute. Rodri is the most overworked member of City’s squad, with 4104 minutes under his belt. It is in part because Phillips has been trusted with just 407. Some 55 games into City’s season, Phillips has started just two: against a Bristol City team in the Championship and a Southampton side bound for that division. Guardiola’s side lost at St Mary’s, in their worst performance of the season, in the Carabao Cup. A bit-part role is not explained purely by a shoulder injury in autumn. City have scored 92 league goals, but none with Phillips on the pitch; indeed, they have a negative goal difference during his outings. Leicester scored one, and came close to getting three, after Phillips’ introduction a month ago; the midfielder described his own performance as “a bit of a stinker”. Since then, votes of no confidence have come from Guardiola, with cameos that have begun so late that nothing could go wrong: he came on injury time against West Ham, with a three-goal lead, slightly earlier at Goodison, and with the same scoreline. Scan Phillips’ season and Guardiola often brings him on so late he is destined to be the no-impact substitute: he was also introduced in injury time against Borussia Dortmund. He got one minute against West Ham in August, three against Arsenal in February, four against Chelsea in January, nine at Southampton, 12 against Sevilla, 13 at Wolves. A total of 17 appearances feels deceptive; even then, 161 of his minutes have come in the FA Cup. He may be having the worst treble-winning season ever, remembered in part for Guardiola branding him overweight after the World Cup. And if many could envy the medal collection he may soon have, Phillips in a better state could be the endearing success story – the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ who was transformed by Guardiola’s hero Marcelo Bielsa, integral for England on their run to the final of Euro 2020. Now he seems an afterthought, City’s third-choice defensive midfielder – fourth-choice if John Stones’ reinvention puts him ahead of Phillips – getting token appearances and meaningless minutes. For a while, it was possible to take solace in history. Many a player has flourished in his second season under Guardiola, after belatedly adjusting to his complex demands. Yet, even without being automatic choices, they were not marginalised. Bernardo Silva’s maiden season brought 53 appearances; 35 of them were in the Premier League, where he played 1520 minutes. Thus far, Phillips has played 105. Riyad Mahrez’s debut campaign brought 1338 top-flight minutes, Jack Grealish’s 1917, Rodri’s 2488. Each kicked on thereafter but, seemed with the benefit of hindsight, it was apparent he had a part in the manager’s long-term plans. It seems less likely that Phillips does; 10 days ago, Guardiola refused to confirm he will be at the Etihad Stadium next season and said the £42m man had to earn his confidence. So far, he has not. All of which feels more damning given Guardiola’s playing days and his status as the godfather of the midfielder. Rejection should be more painful. It could provide City with more of a problem, too. With Gundogan likely to go to Barcelona, with the prospect of another summer of interest from the Nou Camp in Silva, Phillips may present an unwanted problem; likely to be pursued elsewhere in the Premier League but adding to City’s need for reinforcements. As players of the calibre of Ronaldinho, Deco and Zlatan Ibrahimovic can testify, Guardiola can be swift to exile even the most distinguished; as Joao Cancelo knows to his cost, he can still be ruthless. Phillips faces a different form of public humiliation, embarrassed by the brevity of his contributions. He could finish the season with more medals than starts but, in a strange way, it would be a sign of how his move has gone wrong. Read More Man City being driven to title by man of the moment – and it’s not Erling Haaland It’s not necessary what he does – Pep Guardiola hits out at Everton’s Yerry Mina Kevin De Bruyne is Man City’s man for the big occasion but has he met his match?

Katie Taylor has been on a long, glorious and hard road to the ring on Saturday night in Dublin. Taylor has been worshipped and adored in Ireland long before she won her Olympic medal in 2012 and long before she won the first of her world titles in 2017. On Saturday, against a backdrop of joy, she returns and fights in Ireland for the first time since 2016 when she fought at a beauty spa in Tralee. She could have taken an easy fight, gone back over old ground, boxed the ears off a woman from Argentina or made one of the other champions jump up in weight for a shot at her four lightweight belts. That would have been the easy plan, the safe route. However, a rematch with Amanda Serrano collapsed and Chantelle Cameron was found. It might just be one of the boldest pieces of match-making that I have ever known. Taylor is now unbeaten in 22 fights as a professional, she is on a run of 16 consecutive world title fights, she holds all four of the lightweight belts, she briefly held the WBO light-welterweight belt. She is the most recognised face in the world of female boxing. She is the true pioneer of the modern version of the sport, not the mad, topless, chaotic, abusive side of the business from the Eighties and Nineties. Taylor is women’s boxing, and this Saturday is her grand moment. Last year, at Madison Square Garden, she made history with Serrano in front of a sold-out crowd of nearly 20,000 and collected a payday of more than $1million dollars. This Saturday was meant to be the rematch, there was talk of 70,000 at Croke Park, but that outdoor fantasy has been pushed back to September; Serrano is injured, and Cameron was found for the 3Arena on Saturday. It is, trust me, a far harder fight. All of the greatest fighters in history have taken risks, refused easy fights and put their records on the line to prove their greatness. Taylor can join that list. Cameron lost to Taylor over four rounds in Poland back in 2011 when they were both amateur boxers. They were circuit queens, popping up at tournaments in Rio, Tashkent, Bridgetown and Ankara. They both wanted this fight for a long, long time. It has been mentioned, but Cameron has been fighting at the weight above Taylor. The five pounds looked like it was the critical barrier. And, by the way, a sensible barrier. Last November, in Abu Dhabi, Cameron unified the four belts at light-welter. She is also unbeaten; she has talked about big fights she wanted and never dreamed that Taylor would move up in weight, never dreamed that Taylor would agree to fight her. She thought that the chance was gone forever and then the news trickled through. It seems Taylor had the same dream: “It’s not just Cameron that wanted this fight – Katie has wanted this fight for a long time,” insisted Ross Enamait, Taylor’s trainer. The fight was made in the blink of an eye. So, on Saturday there will be two unbeaten boxers, both hold four versions of the world title, and one of them is a homecoming hero. The venue sold out in seconds; the city will come to a stop. It is one of the purest fights in recent years, both a thoroughly old-fashioned fight and a totally modern edition. The bookies are stuck, the punters will back with their hearts and Taylor and Cameron might just be the calmest pair in the city this week. In the other boxing world, we wait for the Saudi throne to find $400m to deliver Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk (unbeaten in a total of 54 fights and holding all four heavyweight titles) and in cloud cuckoo land, the six-year wait for Errol Spence and Terence Crawford (unbeaten in a total of 67 fights and holders of all four belts at welterweight) continues with no end in sight. Taylor and Cameron have shamed the other top fighters and all the people on the safe side of the ropes who have failed to get the men in the ring with each other. Taylor has taken the type of risk that, if she wins, will elevate her to the very highest position in boxing history. She will be walking, fighting and talking with true boxing gods. It’s that big, but Cameron is the most severe risk to both Taylor’s ambitions and her status. It is a great fight. Enjoy it, and remember that Taylor did not have to accept Cameron as an opponent. She did what the bravest and the best in boxing have always done. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Frustrated Canelo Alvarez must take valuable homecoming lesson from gutsy John Ryder The Independent’s pound-for-pound boxing rankings Who is KSI? From ‘endearing’ class clown to YouTuber who has changed the face of boxing Katie Taylor relishing her homecoming fight in Dublin Joe Fournier reacts to ‘disgusting’ KSI knockout KSI vs Fournier last night: Latest fight updates and results after knockout

Leicester are fighting desperately against relegation from the Premier League as they welcome Liverpool to the King Power Stadium. A 5-3 defeat to Fulham, coupled with Everton’s surprise win at Brighton, has left Dean Smith’s side third from bottom with only three games left. With another tough fixture at Newcastle to follow this encounter, a positive result may be a must if Leicester are to avoid dropping out of the top tier. Liverpool will be seeking points, too - their winning run has brought them back into contention for a Champions League qualification place. Here’s everything you need to know. When is Leicester vs Liverpool? Leicester vs Liverpool is due to kick off at 8pm BST on Monday 15 May at the King Power Stadium in Leicester. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the game live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage on the channels from 6.30pm BST. Subscribers can stream the action via the Sky Go app. Team news Kelechi Iheanacho is expected to again be absent for Leicester, though the forward could return from his groin issue for the club’s final two fixtures against Newcastle and West Ham. Jannik Vestergaard, Ryan Bertrand and James Justin will not feature again this season, but both Jonny Evans and Ricardo Pereira were fit to make the bench against Fulham and could press to start. Jurgen Klopp suggested that this game will come slightly too soon for Roberto Firmino, though the Brazilian is moving closer to a return as he prepares to bid farewell to Liverpool this summer. Klopp was more pessimistic on Naby Keita, who could finish his injury-hit time at Anfield on the sidelines. Predicted line-ups Leicester XI: Iversen; Ricardo Pereira, Faes, Soyuncu, Castagne; Soumare, Tielemans, Dewsbury-Hall; Maddison, Vardy, Barnes. Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gakpo, Fabinho, Jones; Salah, Jota, Nunez. Odds Leicester win 9/2 Draw 15/4 Liverpool win 3/5 Prediction Leicester nick a point to keep their surival hopes alive. Leicester 2-2 Liverpool Read More Jordan Henderson optimistic over Liverpool’s long-term prospects Surprise favourite emerges in race to be Liverpool’s new sporting director England’s World Cup squad: Who’s on the plane, and who’s got work to do? The sporting weekend in pictures Chelsea close in on appointing Mauricio Pochettino as club’s new manager Dean Smith adamant Youri Tielemans is committed to Leicester’s survival fight

It is the 36th game of their Premier League season and Liverpool, on a late charge towards the Champions League places, are away in the Midlands. Needing victory, they are drawing as the game enters the 95th minute. And then goalkeeper turns goalscorer. West Bromwich Albion suffered the indignity of conceding to Alisson in 2021. History is unlikely to repeat itself at Leicester on Monday, even if it falls on the eve of the second anniversary of the only goal ever scored by a Liverpool goalkeeper. But, once again, they are aiming for the improbable, encouraged by their memories. “A lot of times when I look on Twitter for news, that goal appears in my timeline,” Alisson said. “This week I watched it already. It’s good, it made me feel good. It makes me think how crazy it is that I scored a goal. It was kind of a sign for us that something special was coming. Because I can be 100 times in the box, I don’t know if I will score again. I know now I can head a ball in a good way, but hopefully we are not going to need it again. I think this season we are having special moments, [Diogo] Jota’s goal is a really special one against Tottenham; last minute as well.” Finish in the top four and Alisson may go down as the architect of another great escape, albeit in more conventional fashion. He has been overworked and outstanding. He entered the weekend with fifth most saves in the division and having prevented the most goals, according to goalkeeping statistics relating to the quality of opportunities. “Sometimes the goalie performances comes when the team is not playing so good and conceding more chances,” he reflected. That has been the case this season; he is the frontrunner to be named Liverpool’s player of the year. He already has one memento; he was presented with a shirt with ‘100’ on the back by Jurgen Klopp, marking his century of Liverpool clean sheets. “The goal is special but the clean sheets are better,” Alisson said. There are, he hopes, many more to come. “One hundred is a lot for me now but in comparison to the great goalies in Liverpool’s history it is not even 50 per cent of what they achieved. They got over 200 clean sheets.” He is the seventh goalkeeper to register 100 for Liverpool, but it may be a table even he cannot top. Not when Ray Clemence recorded 323 shutouts and Bruce Grobbelaar a further 267; it helped that Anfield greats made 665 and 628 appearances respectively. “I don’t know if I can play as many matches as them,” said Alisson, currently on 229. “I think Ray had over 600 matches for Liverpool, but I’m already looking forward to the next 50 or 100 clean sheets, and for the next one in the next match we have. It would be special to be alongside them or to beat them, I admire a lot what the great goalies did, but I’m writing my own story here at Liverpool.” That story is nowhere near its final chapter. Alisson is still only 30 and with a deal until 2027. His commitment stems from much more than a contract, however. Alisson’s father, Jose Agostinho Becker, drowned in 2021. Lockdown restrictions meant he was unable to return to Brazil. His Anfield family instead offered support. “I never imagined to go through a moment like that in my life,” he recalled, a tear in the eye. “Nobody thinks about losing their Dad or Mum suddenly but so many people at that moment were losing loved ones in Covid times and I think the world was in a place where everybody was ready to show love for people. Not only at Liverpool, though the boys here at the club were amazing: I think they felt my pain together. “I took three days at home after my dad passed away and I was looking forward to coming back here, to this place, because I felt already the love. Not only here but from the football world, I was really touched. I received so many letters from managers, from clubs that I never imagined I would receive.” A couple of months later, Alisson emerged in the West Brom box to score a goal that led Liverpool on a path that ended in the 2022 Champions League final, that almost brought a quadruple. Now, once again, there is the hope a difficult campaign can end on a high. “We are having similar challenges,” he said. And if there is unlikely to be a similar solution, another Alisson header, his shutouts offer the prospect of further success. “Keeping clean sheets keeps you closer to victories,” he said. So, too, does his bond with Liverpool. “When I signed a long-term deal at this club, I thought a lot at this moment that everybody was there for me and I have this feeling that I want to be here for the club as well,” he said. “To keep making history, keep this atmosphere that we have as a family.” Read More Jurgen Klopp backs Liverpool to revive title rivalry with Man City next season No identity, no intensity: How Southampton were relegated from the Premier League Erik ten Hag finally within sight of matching a past Manchester United great... no, not that one

As Roberto De Zerbi blew mocking kisses at someone in the crowd, with them goes the 2022-23 Premier League. Manchester City are now just one win from a third successive title but that is almost immaterial because Arsenal have lost all will, as well as this potentially decisive game. A supposedly tight title race could well end next weekend with more than two games to play. It is almost extra cruel on Arsenal that one of those remaining games for City is against this Brighton. On the evidence of this impressive 3-0 victory in north London, to go with almost the entire season, De Zerbi’s side could have offered a real challenge. European football is within their grasp. Brighton’s own 5-1 defeat to Everton on Monday now feels almost as illusory as the idea there was ever a title race at all. City have just powered on through, against a relatively callow side. That is not necessarily to criticise Arsenal given that is what happens to young teams in such situations for the first time - you only have to look at Tottenham Hotspur in 2015-16 - but this was one of those games where the fight had gone, where they had no more to give. The submissive nature of the last two goals summed it up. Aaron Ramsdale has done as much as anyone to keep Arsenal in it for this long, but he will want to forget this day quickly. Brighton themselves so quickly got over that collapse against Everton. This win was all the more impressive for that, as they had all the fight of a manager who so abrasively celebrated every goal. For the last two, he was running down the line and leaping onto the pitch. How Arsenal could have done with such energy by then. Brighton had done a number on them. It was still hard not to think another match involving Everton influenced this more. City’s earlier 3-0 win at Goodison Park felt like it sapped this of all intensity. There was just that sense it was the last chance for a slip, and the ease of the champions’ win seemed to sap this occasion of its energy - at least from Arsenal’s perspective. Even in a better first half for Mikel Arteta’s side, it had the feel of an end-of-season dead rubber more than one from a title run-in, at least off the pitch. That will gradually affect what happens on it, even if Arteta will of course have been sure to make his players stay focused on the job at hand. The awareness of the state of play will always have that subconscious effect. There’s also the fact this was never going to be an easy game. There was no way De Zerbi was going to let Brighton be as porous as they were against Everton, a match that now looks even more like it was the most unlikely of the season. There was a response here, and real bite. There was edge to a lot of the challenges throughout the game. Brighton might fairly say that Gabriel Martinelli started it with what would generously be described as a leap into Kaoru Mitoma, but that spell ended with the Brazilian going off after a raw tackle from Moises Caicedo. Leandro Trossard came on for Martinelli and did clip the bar with an opportunity he might have scored from, as Arsenal still had the better of the first half, but it was lacking that conviction that has defined most of their season. It would be unfair on both sides to say it was going through the motions, but it was going to take so much more to move the dial here. Brighton were standing up strong, and causing problems on the break. Mitoma did superbly to set up Julio Enciso, but a defensive touch just took it away from the Paraguayan. It was nevertheless a warning Arsenal didn’t heed. With the second half so much flatter from Arteta’s side, Brighton sensed opportunity. Mitoma began to run at Ben White and frequently got past him. Arsenal were getting overrun in midfield. Pace-setting Jorginho had to be brought off for Thomas Partey. Pace was precisely the problem. Brighton were now playing with so much more of it. They eventually got around Arsenal on the flank, and the ball was clipped in for Enciso to finish. It didn’t help that Jakub Kiwior went down with an injury as it happened, but that was almost symbolic of the second half. Arsenal were down. Brighton were on it, sharper to everything. Ramsdale played one short back pass out, and Pascal Gross was straight on it, setting up Deniz Undav for a sumptuous lift to seal it. Worse was still to come. Ramsdale was soft on one save, Purvis Estupinan had the hard edge to turn a torrid afternoon for Arsenal into a chastening evening. It shouldn’t define their season. It has, however, decided it. Read More Mikel Arteta wants Arsenal focus to be on title charge instead of player futures Man City being driven to title by man of the moment – and it’s not Erling Haaland Brighton win puts Manchester City on title brink – 5 things from Premier League Servette fan plays key role in Gael Clichy’s stunning long-distance strike Arsenal won’t stop digging for Premier League title, Mikel Arteta vows

Ilkay Gundogan isn’t leaving it quite as late this year. Twelve months ago, his goals won Manchester City the title: a comeback-clinching 81st-minute decider against Aston Villa on the final day of the season sealed the trophy. Now City’s May has consisted of more Gundogan goals to set up another coronation. After the captain’s brace against Leeds came a still better double at Everton, a volley of improvisational brilliance and a free kick he made look enviably easy, sandwiched by an assist. His 300th City appearance ranks as one of his finest. Having not struck twice in a game since last May, he has done so in successive league matches. When the business end of the season arrives, Gundogan becomes more purposeful. It is inspirational leadership but with a velvet touch. His excellence could render Arsenal’s results irrelevant. He is keeping the Gunners at bay while the newly anointed Footballer of the Year, Erling Haaland, is instead waging war on Everton’s past. His 52nd goal of the campaign means he now needs 11 to equal Dixie Dean’s record for a top-flight English club, set almost a century ago. Although, as he only has one goal in his last three games, the equation is weighted in favour of Everton’s greatest goalscorer. In one respect, Haaland produced a performance of extreme efficiency: when, in the 39th minute, he met Gundogan’s deft cross with a towering leap and an emphatic header, it was only his third touch of the afternoon. But he had scored from 33 per cent of them. He ended up with 13 touches and one goal. In a sense, City reflected Haaland: nothing much happened for quite some time and then they were deadly. Half an hour of nothingness at the start suited Everton, with the league leaders not even registering a shot on target until the 35th minute, but The Toffees conceded three goals within a quarter of an hour either side of the break. They were preceded by a glaring miss, with Mason Holgate hoofing the ball over the bar from four yards, and Everton’s chances of a shock came and went with one wild swing of his right foot. If City had lacked a little incision at the start, it was unsurprising. Pep Guardiola had rested much of his preferred midfield with Real Madrid in mind, taking out Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Jack Grealish and the quasi-regista John Stones. But his captain was constant and a catalyst. City’s 11th straight league win stemmed from a couple of touches of class: first with Gundogan’s knee, to control Riyad Mahrez’s cross, and then with his right boot, as he hooked in a volley in a way few others could envisage, let alone execute. The paradox of City is that they have a robotic air, as though putting training ground routines into practice on the pitch, but can sometimes rely on individual virtuosity: five days after De Bruyne’s spectacular strike in the Bernabeu came a different kind of wonder goal. And, a couple of minutes later, a far more familiar one. Haaland’s giant leap has added another dimension to the City attack and he headed in Gundogan’s cross. When the German’s free-kick flew past Jordan Pickford, the goalkeeper perhaps ought to have done better. It was, though, a throwback to past title-clinching exploits. Gundogan had only scored from one previous free-kick in the Premier League: at Brighton, in May 2019, as City finished one point ahead of Liverpool. For Everton, the quest is to end up ahead of two out of Leeds, Leicester and Nottingham Forest, and earn a 70th successive season in the top flight. Last week’s five-goal demolition of Brighton felt like a mirage even if elite opponents called for a very different approach. They began with nine outfield players in a narrow box just outside their own area and were camped behind the ball. The eventual scoreline represented one kind of improvement. At Burnley, Sean Dyche had a habit of losing 5-0 to City, usually playing 4-4-2. Here the gameplan was different: a scorer of two goals against Brighton and involved in four, Dwight McNeil was an auxiliary defender, dropping in at left-back to make five at the back. Dyche ended with a 5-4-1 shape, too, rather than risking any further damage. Which, as his record now stands at 15 defeats in 16 games against Guardiola, with no wins, five goals scored and 54 conceded, is perhaps understandable. There might have been a sixth goal when Ederson tipped Amadou Onana’s header on to the bar. Everton could question if Aymeric Laporte deserved to escape unpunished when he seemed to lash out at Yerry Mina. But they have two games now, against Wolves and Bournemouth, to ensure they evade the drop. For Gundogan, and City, the season may yet bring three trophies. Read More Arsenal won’t stop digging for Premier League title, Mikel Arteta vows Jurgen Klopp backs Liverpool to revive title rivalry with Man City next season Guardiola hails ‘incredible’ Kevin De Bruyne as his stunning goal keeps Champions League tie in balance

Follow live coverage as Arsenal face Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League today. Manchester City are reigning champions after beating Liverpool to the finish line in a neck-and-neck 2021/22 title race where a comeback win on the final day of the season against Aston Villa secured a fourth title in five years for Pep Guardiola's side. Jurgen Klopp's Reds were on course for a quadruple last season but were forced to settle for just an FA Cup and Carabao Cup win and will return trying to win the title again just as they did in 2020. It was a dramatic season for Chelsea a year ago with Roman Abramovich now replaced by Todd Boehly as owner in west London. He will want an instant return on his hefty investment at Stamford Bridge while Tottenham, back in the Champions League, will want to kick on once more too. It's not all about the action at the top though with Fulham, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest promoted to the top tier for 2021/22 and hoping to hold their own against the best English football has to offer and avoid the drop. We will bring you all the action and updates from today's game in the live blog below: