Arsenal held by Brentford as Premier League title slips away

Brentford managed a second-half equaliser through Yoane Wissa at the Emirates Stadium to hold Arsenal to a 1-1 draw in the English Premier League action Saturday.

Wissa registered for Brentford with a smart half volley to get his side back on terms after Arsenal had scored through a breakaway Thomas Partey finish.

The match had ended 0-0 at half time, with Arsenal dominating possession and Brentford happy to sit back and hit their hosts on the break.

Partey scored for the home side on 61 minutes, following excellent play from Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya, who released the ball early on a fast break to Declan Rice, who then ran the better part of 60 metres to set up Partey, who blasted home from close range for a 1-0 lead.

Brentford, who had been second best most of the match, scored an equaliser on 73 minutes through Yoan Wissa, who finished smartly after Arsenal had failed to deal conclusively with a corner kick to make the score 1-1.

The draw means that Arsenal (63) are now 10 points behind leaders Liverpool with six matches left to play and will now shift their focus to Real Madrid, whom they hold a 3-0 advantage over, in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League.

Brentford are in position 11 with 43 points.

Liverpool host West Ham on Sunday and will aim to stretch their lead to 13 points.

Third place Nottingham Forest lost 1-0 at the death at home to Everton, who scored through a late Abdoulaye Doucore goal to dim Forest's Champions League qualification hopes.

Doucore scored with pretty much the last kick of the game to earn his side three valuable points and leave Forest looking behind their shoulders.

They are now just two points ahead of currently fourth Manchester City with six games left to play.

Earlier on, Brighton's European qualification claims were dealt a blow after being held to a 2-2 draw by relegation-battling Leicester City.

Joao Pedro, with two goals, looked to have done enough to see the Seagulls gather three points, but Leicester, who have struggled for goals this season, hit back through Stephen Mavididi and Caleb Okoli at the Amex Stadium.

In Southampton, Aston Villa improved their chances of making next season's Champions League with a very late 3-0 success at the South Coast.

Villa, who have a huge upcoming European tie with PSG from France, were on top throughout and scored their goals via Ollie Watkins (73), Donyel Malen (79), and John McGinn in injury time.

They now move to fifth with 54 points, a point behind fourth-placed Manchester City and above Newcastle and Chelsea, who are battling hard for a place amongst European elites next season.

In the early kick-off, Manchester City came from behind to brush aside Crystal Palace 5-2 at the Etihad Stadium.