Stoke buries Arsenal's title hopes
Source: Agencies |
May 9, 2011, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
ARSENAL'S last lingering mathematical chances of winning the English Premier League title were finally extinguished yesterday when it lost 1-3 at Stoke City.
Goals from Kenwyne Jones, former Gunner Jermaine Pennant and Jon Walters condemned Arsenal to a sixth season without a trophy while buoyant Stoke heads for the FA Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
Jones scored with a simple chance after 28 minutes when Arsenal's defense, which has struggled to deal with set-pieces all season, allowed him to steal in at a corner and guide the ball home with his chest.
Pennant, who only made 12 appearances for Arsenal in six seasons early in his career, doubled Stoke's lead with a stunning 25-meter strike after running unchallenged at the Arsenal defense. The shot took a slight deflection off Johan Djourou that left goalie Wojciech Szczesny floundering.
Robin van Persie pulled a goal back for Arsenal late on to extend his run of scoring in Premier League away matches to eight but Walters pounced on some soft defending almost immediately to kill of the Gunners.
With two matches to play Arsenal is on 67 points, three behind second-placed Chelsea (70) and leader Manchester United (73) who were meeting at Old Trafford in what is effectively the title decider later.
In earlier action, Wolverhampton Wanderers improved their chances of staying up when they beat local rival West Bromwich Albion 3-1 in a keenly fought derby to pull out of the relegation zone.
Although they are still not safe with two to play, Wolves are now 17th with 37 points, with Blackpool dropping into the bottom three on 36. Wigan Athletic is 19th on 36 and West Ham United bottom with 33.
Goals from Kenwyne Jones, former Gunner Jermaine Pennant and Jon Walters condemned Arsenal to a sixth season without a trophy while buoyant Stoke heads for the FA Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
Jones scored with a simple chance after 28 minutes when Arsenal's defense, which has struggled to deal with set-pieces all season, allowed him to steal in at a corner and guide the ball home with his chest.
Pennant, who only made 12 appearances for Arsenal in six seasons early in his career, doubled Stoke's lead with a stunning 25-meter strike after running unchallenged at the Arsenal defense. The shot took a slight deflection off Johan Djourou that left goalie Wojciech Szczesny floundering.
Robin van Persie pulled a goal back for Arsenal late on to extend his run of scoring in Premier League away matches to eight but Walters pounced on some soft defending almost immediately to kill of the Gunners.
With two matches to play Arsenal is on 67 points, three behind second-placed Chelsea (70) and leader Manchester United (73) who were meeting at Old Trafford in what is effectively the title decider later.
In earlier action, Wolverhampton Wanderers improved their chances of staying up when they beat local rival West Bromwich Albion 3-1 in a keenly fought derby to pull out of the relegation zone.
Although they are still not safe with two to play, Wolves are now 17th with 37 points, with Blackpool dropping into the bottom three on 36. Wigan Athletic is 19th on 36 and West Ham United bottom with 33.
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