Soccer: Arsenal's top-four hopes suffer major blow with 3-0 Palace
loss
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[April 11, 2017]
(Reuters) - - Arsenal's hopes of
finishing in the Premier League's top four suffered a potentially
fatal blow as they suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat at
relegation-threatened Crystal Palace on Monday.
Victory had been imperative for an Arsenal side that had won only
two league games since January but the abject display with Andros
Townsend, Yohan Cabaye and Luka Milivojevic all scoring for Palace
only heaped more pressure on manager Arsene Wenger.
Sixth-placed Arsenal, who have finished in the top four in 20
consecutive seasons under Wenger, now have 54 points from 30 games
-- seven points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, who have
played a game more.
"It's damaging of course," a seemingly dispirited Wenger told Sky
Sports when asked about how serious the blow was to their chances of
Champions League soccer next season. "That's the most difficult
thing for us tonight."
Rejuvenated Palace, winners of four of their previous five league
games under Sam Allardyce, started confidently and opened the
scoring when former Tottenham winger Townsend swept the ball home at
the end of a smart passing move after 17 minutes.
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Palace striker Christian Benteke then had a goal ruled out for
offside before Cabaye's superb curled effort and Milivojevic's
penalty in five second-half minutes completed a miserable night for
Wenger at a raucous Selhurst Park.
Palace stay 16th but now have 34 points from 31 matches, six more
than Swansea City, who occupy the final relegation place in 18th and
have played a game more.
"All we can do is apologize for that performance," Arsenal's Theo
Walcott said after Arsenal fans had sung 'You're not fit to wear the
shirt' at their players.
"It was a great three points and a well needed-three points,"
Townsend said.
"Sam Allardyce has been incredible. He looks to have worked his
magic again."
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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger Reuters / Stefan Wermuth Livepic
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Arsenal started shakily against in-form Palace and
within the first seven minutes Cabaye had wasted a dangerous
shooting position before Milivojevic blazed narrowly wide.
Arsenal settled into a period of possession but Palace were a
constant threat on the break and it was a long ball from a goalkick
that yielded the breakthrough.
After Benteke won a header, a neat passing move ended with Townsend
stroking home a cross from the slipping Wilfried Zaha, high past
Emiliano Martinez.
In response Arsenal created a few chances via Alexis Sanchez but the
hosts looked capable of scoring whenever they ran at Arsenal's
fragile defense.
Benteke had a goal ruled out for offside after the break before
Palace added a well-deserved, quickfire brace.
First, Cabaye met Zaha's cross with a superb, first-time effort
before the impressive Milivojevic converted from the penalty spot
after Townsend was fouled.
Without some desperate last-ditch defending Palace, revitalized in
their past six games, could have scored further goals.
(Reporting by Tom Hayward; Editing by Ken Ferris and Ian Chadband) [© 2017 Thomson Reuters. All
rights reserved.]
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