Man City stay in title hunt, Liverpool held, Bournemouth eye Europe

LONDON, May 9 : Manchester City sent out a defiant message to Premier League title favourites Arsenal as Pep Guardiola's side scored three second-half goals to beat visiting Brentford 3-0 on Saturday.

Anything other than a win would have left City's hopes of reclaiming the crown hanging by a slender thread and it looked unlikely in a subdued first half.

But a superb strike into the top corner by Jeremy Doku and further goals by Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush earned City the win that cut Arsenal's lead to two points.

Liverpool failed to wrap up Champions League qualification as they drew 1-1 at home to Chelsea, while Bournemouth moved into sixth place with a 1-0 win at Fulham in which both sides ended with 10 men.

Brighton & Hove Albion also boosted their hopes of qualifying for Europe with a 3-0 win over bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers. Manchester United, who are already assured of a top-five finish, drew 0-0 at Sunderland.

HAMMER BLOW

City's chaotic 3-3 draw at Everton in midweek was a hammer blow to Pep Guardiola's side and left Arsenal in prime position to win the title for the first time since 2004.

It left City five points adrift with a game in hand, but on Saturday they showed they are not ready to throw in the towel.

They now have 74 points behind Arsenal on 76 after 35 games but with a goal difference advantage of one. Arsenal face a tricky derby at relegation-threatened West Ham United on Sunday.

Win that, and with a home game against relegated Burnley next, Arsenal would be breathing easier, but any slip at the London Stadium would leave the door ajar for City.

City's next game is at home to Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

"We knew we had to win after the draw (at Everton)," Belgian Doku, who scored a last-gasp