Arsenal strolls to win, Chelsea held
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, May 5, 2014
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Arsenal's Bacary Sagna (left) challenges West Bromwich Albion's Graham Dorrans during their English Premier League match yesterday. |
Arsenal celebrated its Champions League qualification as Olivier Giroud secured a 1-0 win against West Bromwich Albion yesterday.
Arsene Wenger's side booked its place in Europe's elite club competition without kicking a ball when fifth-placed Everton was beaten 2-3 by Manchester City on Saturday. And 24 hours later, Giroud's first-half header maintained the feel-good factor at the Emirates Stadium and capped a stroll in the sunshine for the Gunners, who were rarely troubled en route to a fourth successive victory.
After looking in severe danger of missing out on the Champions League for the first time in 17 years following its defeat at Everton last month, there was a palpable sense of relief in north London that Arsenal had wrapped up fourth place with two games to spare.
Wenger also said yesterday he'll be back for another season at the club, ending speculation that he might leave after nearly 18 years at the helm. The Frenchman has yet to sign a new contract, with his current deal expiring after this campaign.
"Yes," he replied. "I don't know (when I will sign a new deal). I told you many times that my word is my word. I am from a period where you didn't need a pen to commit."
Norwich City all but ended Chelsea's title challenge and gave itself a fighting chance of avoiding relegation by recording a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge yesterday.
Chelsea would have provisionally gone top of the table if it had won, but it will now be eliminated from the title race if either Manchester City or Liverpool win one of its last two games.
Liverpool visits Crystal Palace today, while leader City plays its game in hand at home to Aston Villa on Wednesday.
Manuel Pellegrini has insisted City still have plenty of work to do to wrap up a second English title in three years. Next weekend's final day of the league season is set to stand between City and the trophy.
"It was a testing moment but we haven't finished yet," said the City manager.
"We've just won one of the three games that we must win to win the title," Pellegrini added.
"It was a very difficult game because you see the history here for City, two wins in 10 years, Everton are in a good moment and they played well so it's a very important victory.
"I was talking with the players especially after we lost against Liverpool and I said that the title was not over and we must continue playing.
"I never try to think in a negative way," the Chilean explained. "We have to win two games more, a lot can happen and we will prepare for Aston Villa and at the end of the season we'll analyze how the season was.
"Three points is a good step towards trying to win the title."
Meanwhile, Fulham and Cardiff City were both relegated. Fulham's 13-year run in the English top flight was ended by a 1-4 defeat at Stoke City, while Cardiff went straight back down to the Championship following a 0-3 loss at Newcastle United.
Both teams' fates were sealed by fourth-bottom Sunderland's unexpected 1-0 win at Manchester United, which took Gus Poyet's side four points above Fulham and five points clear of bottom club Cardiff.
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