Arsenal top-four hopes suffer blow with defeat at Palace

LONDON: Arsenal's hopes of securing a top-four Premier League finish this season were dealt a blow as the below-par visitor suffered a 3-0 defeat against rampant Crystal Palace on Monday.

Arsenal was put to the sword in the first half by the clinical host, with goals from forwards Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jordan Ayew giving Palace a deserved 2-0 interval lead.

The Londoner improved after the break, with Emile Smith Rowe and Martin Odegaard missing big chances to get their team back in the match. Their wastefulness proved costly as Wilfried Zaha put the game to bed with a penalty 16 minutes from time.

Tottenham Hotspur's 5-0 home victory over Newcastle United on Sunday means it is fourth, ahead of its north London rival on goal difference having played a game more.

Arsenal had been in fine form on the road in the Premier League prior to its trip to south London on Monday.

A second defeat in its last three league games opens the door for Arsenal's top-four rivals and Arteta's side still have it all to do to secure a return to the Champions League for the first time since 2016-17. Fifth-placed Arsenal is level on 54 points with Spurs and three points ahead of West Ham United and Manchester United, albeit with all its top-four rival having played more games.

The scoreline at Selhurst Park did not flatter an impressive Palace, who continue to improve under former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira, with the victory moving them up to ninth. Agencies

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