By Korede James
Arsenal’s English Premier League title ambitions suffered a big setback following their 1-0 defeat to West Ham at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
The Gunners needed to win to close the gap on leaders Liverpool to five points in the league table.
But Jarrod Bowen’s 44th minute header off a cross from Aaron Wan-Bissaka threw spanner into the works of Mikel Arteta’s side.
Substitute Myles Lewis-Skelly was shown a straight red card on 73 minutes for a foul on Mohammed Kudus who was clean through on goal.
Liverpool now have the chance to go 11 points clear if they manage to defeat champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Arsenal men are still in second and West Ham are 16th.
At Craven Cottage, Super Eagles stars Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey made their 26th and 25th appearances respectively in the league this season as Fulham lost 2-0 to Crystal Palace.
While Bassey played for 90 minutes, Iwobi was taken off with 10 minutes left.
An own goal by Joachim Andersen on 37 minutes and a Daniel Munoz strike in the 66th minute secured the away win for Palace.
The defeat leaves Fulham ninth, while Palace rose to 13th.
At St. Mary’s, Nigeria internationals Paul Onuachu and Joe Aribo featured for struggling Southampton who got thumped 4-0 by visiting Brighton.
The Saints remain rooted to the bottom of the league table, while Brighton are eighth.
In other results, Wolverhampton Wanderers pipped Bournemouth 1-0, Tottenham Hotspur thrashed Ipswich Town 4-1, and Manchester United came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at and Everton 2-2 in the early kick-off.
RESULTS
Arsenal 0-1 West Ham
Bournemouth 0-1 Wolves
Fulham 0-2 Crystal Palace
Ipswich 1-4 Tottenham Hotspur
Southampton 0-4 Brighton
Everton 2-2 Manchester United
