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As it happenedended1557077046

Arsenal vs Brighton LIVE: Latest score, goals and updates as Glenn Murray penalty all but ends Gunners’ top four hopes

Latest LIVE action from the Emirates Stadium

Harry Latham-Coyle
Sunday 05 May 2019 18:24 BST
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Unai Emery not taking anything for granted after Arsenal beat Valencia

Follow latest live coverage as Arsenal host Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League.

The Gunners need a response after defeat to Crystal Palace a week ago but will be boosted by Tottenham's loss to Bournemouth on Saturday as well as their own victory over Valencia in the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday. They got the perfect start as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored from the spot after Nacho Monreal was fouled in the box.

Solly March's fine run down the left sees him dash into the box and Granit Xhaka tugs him back to concede a penalty. Glenn Murray calmly slots home to draw Brighton level.

With a three-point gap between themselves and Tottenham in fourth, who hold a superior goal difference, their route to the Champions League looks to be purely down to winning the Europa League.

We'll have all the latest throughout the afternoon here.


Please allow a moment for the live blog to load

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Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of the Premier League.

There are three big games this afternoon with Huddersfield Town vs Manchester United and Chelsea vs Watford first up.

Team news incoming veeeeeeery shortly.

Ben Burrows5 May 2019 12:46
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Our focus today is on the race for the top four, with three of the contenders in action. It is the race seemingly no-one wants to win, Tottenham leaving the door ajar once again in a dramatic defeat at Bournemouth yesterday.

Chelsea can move above Spurs into third with a victory this afternoon, while Manchester United and Arsenal need to win to realistically keep the race alive.

Harry Latham-Coyle5 May 2019 12:54
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Team News - Chelsea vs Watford

Maurizio Sarri makes two changes to the team that drew at Manchester United last weekend, Andreas Christensen in for the injured Antonio Rudiger and Pedro preferred to Willian in the front three.

Javi Gracia also makes two changes, with Etienne Capoue missing out with a groin injury. Troy Deeney returns.

Harry Latham-Coyle5 May 2019 13:03
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​Team News - Huddersfield vs Manchester United

Jan Siewert brings Aaron Mooy, Chris Löwe and Alex Pritchard back into the Huddersfield starting lineup.

And Ole Gunnar Solskjaer follows suit with three changes of his own, a rare start for Alexis Sanchez the headline team news of the two early afternoon fixtures.

Harry Latham-Coyle5 May 2019 13:05
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So David De Gea maintains his place between the sticks for Manchester United, thanks in part to the most untimely of injuries to Sergio Romero:

Harry Latham-Coyle5 May 2019 13:11
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This could well be Eden Hazard's final Premier League game at Stamford Bridge, certainly for the time being at least, with Real Madrid circling and a summer move looking increasingly likely.

The Belgian has carried Maurizio Sarri's somewhat dysfunctional side at times this season, and that they are in such a strong position with regards to Champions League qualification is testament to his work.

Two wins will secure Chelsea third place, and with the Europa League still very much up for grabs, a season that has at times felt on the precipice of disaster could yet be a very successful one.

Harry Latham-Coyle5 May 2019 13:20
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For Manchester United the situation is more complex, and firmly out of their hands. They face two of the relegated clubs to close the season and thus Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be confident of securing six more points, which would take United to 71.

Spurs need only one more point to get to that mark and have a vastly superior goal difference, while Arsenal on 66 points need only to match United's results to finish ahead of them, but face a tough trip to Turf Moor on the final day.

Harry Latham-Coyle5 May 2019 13:24
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Wolves' win against Fulham yesterday has all but secured seventh spot, which means Watford's primary objective as the season comes to a close is to stave off the threat of West Ham, who they face next week, and secure what would be a richly-deserved top ten finish.

A win today at Stamford Bridge would be enough to ensure such a finish.

Harry Latham-Coyle5 May 2019 13:30
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And what of Huddersfield, the fourth side in action in this early window.

Jan Siewert's side have earned just three points since the German's arrival in January, Siewert failing to galvanise a squad short on quality and spirit. Fulham's late charge has distanced the Terriers, rather, who will finish bottom by a distance and are already preparing for next season.

A famous victory over Manchester United would be an awfully fine end-of-season gift to their excellent supporters, though, and there are vulnerabilities in the visitors' side.

Harry Latham-Coyle5 May 2019 13:35
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Juninho Bacuna starts for Huddersfield in midfield today, still looking to secure his first victory with the club at the end of a season where, in actuality, the Dutchman has impressed individually. 

Older brother Leandro has also endured a season of difficulty with Cardiff's relegation confirmed yesterday, and it'll be a family holiday of reflection and commiseration when the season come to an end.

Hey ho, Bacuna Matata and all that...

Harry Latham-Coyle5 May 2019 13:40

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