Clive Thabo Dube
Sports Reporter
THE current inform and consistent team in the world at the moment, Brighton and Hove Albion shattered Arsenal FC’s title hopes on Sunday after they overwhelmed the Gunners by 3 goals to nill.
The Seagulls soared up the Emirates Stadium to claim a famous victory in London against Arsenal who where neck to neck with Manchester City for the English Premier League (EPL) title.
Now that hope is all but gone since loss to Brighton came as a major blow for Arsenal who were hoping to lift the title they last won with Arsene Wenger.
To make matters worse, this Sunday matches will decide whether Manchester City are crowned the champions once again or they wait a bit longer. If the Citizens defeat Chelsea on Sunday, the EPL will already be decided.
The Citizens need 3 points from 3 games to secure the League title.
It is also possible for the party to come early. That is if Arsenal lose against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
The visitors came to North London riding on a 5-1 loss to Everton last week and the hosts were coming from a 2:0 win over Newcastle United who are fighting for the top four spot.
In the opening minutes of the game, both sides failed to show grit until Leandro Trossard who replaced Gabriel Martinelli had a clear chance from 12 yards but hit the post on the half hour-mark.
Bad omen haunted Emirates Stadium just a few minutes later after Trossard’s chance, the Seagulls wingers cruised in the left wing with Mitoma sending a superb ball to Enciso who shot from close range but could not find the net.
The sides went to the interval level.
De Zerbi’s charges came in strong to take off from where they left and they were awarded with a goal in the 51st minute through Enciso’s header. The Gunners kept on searching for an equalizer with no luck.
Reiss Nelson who came as a substitute missed a great opportunity to bring back his team on level terms. Arsenal’s finishing despite finding excellent goal scoring positions was way below par.
Goal scorer Enciso was replaced by Deniz Undav who came in and made it 2:0 in the 86th minute for the Seagulls. Trossard’s failed clearance proved costly for Mikel Arteta’s men. With just a chip over Ramsdale, Brighton where already on their way for an upset.
Seeing all title hopes going up in smoke, right at 89 minutes, the Emirates Stadium began to empty itself.
Overall it was a brilliant performance by Brighton in a game of pure and sheer football worthy of 90+ minutes, in the dying embers of the game, Undav and Welbeck combined well in front of goal. Undav took a splendid shot in additional time only for Ramsdale to push the ball to the path of Estupinan in the left channel who beat him on the rebound to bundle home the third goal and add his name on the scoreboard.
Brighton are now sixth with fewer games and European football within their reach.