The top-of-the-table clash heats up: Aston Villa break the St. James' Park curse
In an exciting round of the English Premier League, Aston Villa continued their strong pressure on league leaders Arsenal, securing a valuable and well-deserved 2-0 victory over hosts Newcastle United. This win, which came in the 23rd round of matches, was not just three points for the team, but also held special historical significance, as it marked the Villans' first victory at St. James' Park since 2005, breaking a long-standing curse.
Argentine Emiliano Buendía opened the scoring in the 19th minute, before the in-form striker Ollie Watkins secured the victory with a second goal in the 88th minute. With this win, Unai Emery's team temporarily reduced the gap with Arsenal to four points, confirming their serious intent to compete for the title, which has eluded them since 1981. This strong performance comes as a quick recovery from the team's surprising home defeat to Everton last week, reflecting the strong mentality that Emery has instilled in his players.
On the other hand, Newcastle United suffered another blow to their European ambitions. The Magpies continued their inconsistent performances this season, remaining stuck on 33 points in ninth place, making their task of securing a Champions League spot for next season even more difficult.
Chelsea regains its balance and returns to the top four
In another match, Chelsea reclaimed fourth place in the league table after defeating their London rivals Crystal Palace 3-1 at Selhurst Park. This victory boosts the Blues' hopes of returning to the Champions League, as they now have 37 points, one point ahead of Liverpool.
The match saw a remarkable performance from the Brazilian players, with 18-year-old Estevão scoring in the 34th minute, João Pedro adding a second in the 50th minute, and Argentine Enzo Fernandes completing the scoring with a penalty in the 64th minute. Despite Crystal Palace being reduced to ten men after Adam Wharton's dismissal in the 70th minute, the team managed to score a consolation goal through American Chris Richards in the 88th minute. This defeat further compounds Palace's woes, as they sit in 15th place with 28 points, especially following manager Oliver Glasner's announcement that he will leave at the end of the season.
Nottingham Forest secure vital win in survival battle
Away from the title race, Nottingham Forest secured a crucial victory in their battle to avoid relegation, defeating hosts Brentford 2-0. The goals were scored by Brazilian Igor Jesus in the 12th minute and Nigerian Taiwo Onui in the 79th minute. This result lifts Nottingham Forest to 17th place with 25 points, moving them slightly clear of the relegation zone, while Brentford remain in eighth place with 33 points.
