Arsenal slumped to a 3-1 defeat against Stoke on Sunday, all but extinguishing the Gunners' faint Premier League title hopes. First-half goals from Kenwyne Jones and Arsenal old boy Jermaine Pennant followed by a late Jonathan Walters strike secured a deserved win for the Potters at the Britannia Stadium.
But the defeat means Arsenal are effectively out of the title race, and they will be eliminated from contention later Sunday if Manchester United avoid defeat against Chelsea.
Arsenal, who had scored a 1-0 victory over United last Sunday, were always struggling to impose themselves as Stoke warmed up for next weekend's FA Cup final against Manchester City in style.
Stoke took the lead on 28 minutes, when Pennant swung in a free-kick from the right which fell to Jones who deflected the ball in off his torso from close range.
The goal was especially sweet for Stoke, who had lodged an official complaint earlier this season when Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger accused Tony Pulis's team of using "rugby" tactics against goalkeepers.
Stoke's fans greeted Jones' opener with gleeful chants of "1-0 to the rugby team" and a chorus of the Twickenham rugby anthem "Swing Low Sweet Chariot."
Earlier Sunday, Wolves edged closer to Premier League survival with a 3-1 victory over midlands rivals West Bromwich Albion that lifted them out of the relegation zone.
Scottish striker Steven Fletcher scored either side of an Adlene Guedioura strike as Mick McCarthy's side moved up to 17th spot at the expense of Blackpool, who dropped down to 18th, one point behind.
Peter Odemwingie scored West Brom's lone goal from the penalty spot on 55 minutes after Guedioura brought down Jerome Thomas. The victory at Molineux means Wolves' bid to beat the drop is in their own hands, with only matches against Sunderland and out-of-form Blackburn to come.
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