Arsenal vs Leeds LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction today after Nketiah double
Arsenal 2-1 Leeds: The Gunners moved four points clear of rivals Spurs in the race to finish in the Premier League’s top four
Arsenal’s five-season exile from the Champions League is closer to ending after Eddie Nketiah’s double secured a 2-1 win over Leeds to strengthen the team’s hold on fourth place in the Premier League on Sunday.
If it wins at Tottenham on Thursday, Arsenal will qualify for the Champions League with two games to spare after its fifth-place north London rival dropped points in a 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Saturday.
Arsenal moved four points ahead of Tottenham thanks to Nketiah’s two goals in the opening 10 minutes as Leeds dropped into the relegation zone.
The former Leeds loanee capitalized on a poor touch from Illan Meslier and tapped home. Nketiah’s second was a well-taken finish from 12 yards (meters), turning in Gabriel Martinelli’s low cross.
Leeds was reduced to 10 men in the 27th when captain Luke Ayling was sent off for a two-footed challenge on Martinelli. Referee Chris Kavanagh initially booked the defender before upgrading the card after being advised to watch a replay on the VAR pitch-side monitor.
Leeds gave itself a chance of a surprise comeback in the 66th when Diego Llorente turned in a shot at the back post but there was no equalizer from Jesse Marsch’s side.
There is a tight scrap to avoid joining Watford and Norwich in being relegated. Burnley is only above Leeds, and out of the drop zone, due to its superior goal difference with three games remaining, while Everton is a point from danger.
Manchester City vs Newcastle: Team news
Manchester City XI: Ederson; Cancelo, Dias, Laporte, Zinchenko; Gundogan, Rodri, De Bruyne; Grealish, Jesus, Sterling
Newcastle XI: Dubravka; Krafth, Lascelles, Burn, Targett; Longstaff, Joelinton, Guimaraes; Almiron, Wood, Saint-Maximin
GOAL! Arsenal 2-1 Leeds: Llorente hammers home at back post
GOAL! Llorente hammers Leeds back into the game, hope for the 10 men at the Emirates, 2-1
It was Firpo at the front post flicking it on and Arsenal didn’t bother to mark Llorente at the back post.
He controls it beautifully on the volley and fire past Ramsdale, and the Leeds fans go wild, they couldn’t, could they?
Big chance for Martinelli, the ball flicks up and he's suddenly in on goal, but he can't control it and the shot is too high.
Llorente rushed out and couldn’t clear with Nketiah sniffing around the ball.
Arsenal 2-0 Leeds
Martinelli brilliant there and almost makes it three.
He turns Raphinha inside out and then hammers one towards goal. Meslier does well to put it out for a corner.
The tempo is still high for Arsenal, which will please Arteta.
Arsenal 2-0 Leeds: Jamie Carragher labels Luke Ayling an idiot
Jamie Carragher has not held back discussing Luke Ayling’s red card against Arsenal.
“I love Luke Ayling as a player,” said the Sky Sports pundit. “But what an idiot, a lack of professionalism for his teammates and what it could mean for them moving forward.
“It's a disgusting tackle. It's obviously a red card. To do that, putting your team down to 10 men and missing three games, that might be the last game he plays in the Premier League.”
Premier League scores update
More misery for Norwich, Benrahma gets another and the Hammers go into the break 3-0 up after his powerful finish.
Everton also 2-1 up at the break at Leicester, Lampard’s men currently out of the relegation zone!
Arsenal 2-0 Leeds
Delightful from Odegaard, a quick turn and he flicks the ball towards the back post.
Koch under pressure and puts it out for a corner.
Arsenal 2-0 Leeds
Firpo driving down the left, he combines well with Harrison.
A rare opening for Leeds, but Arsenal are quick to close out the danger.
Arsenal 2-0 Leeds
Cedric finding more joy down the right, his delivery is poor but Leeds can’t stem the flow.
Arsenal still pressing high up the pitch to their credit, even though this game is largely done.
Now into four minutes of added time.
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