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West Ham rocked Chelsea’s top-four hopes and boosted their survival bid with a dramatic 3-2 win, whereas Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang struck twice as Arsenal climbed again into European competition with a 4-Zero thrashing of Norwich on Wednesday. Chelsea had been hoping to reap the benefits of third-placed Leicester’s 2-1 defeat at Everton earlier within the day, however as a substitute the Blues had been overwhelmed for the primary time because the Premier League restart. West Ham had been denied the opening aim on the London Stadium when VAR dominated Michail Antonio was offside as he lay on the bottom whereas Tomas Soucek slotted dwelling.
Willian fired Chelsea forward from the penalty spot 5 minutes earlier than half-time after Issa Diop tripped Christian Pulisic.
Soucek headed dwelling in first-half stoppage time as West Ham lastly scored their first aim because the restart.
Antonio put West Ham in entrance within the 51st minute when he slid in to transform Jarrod Bowen’s cross.
Willian’s excellent 70th-minute free-kick drew Chelsea stage, nevertheless it was West Ham who broke away to win it within the 89th minute when substitute Andriy Yarmolenko completed an excellent counter assault.
Chelsea are one level behind Leicester and solely two forward of Manchester United and Wolves because the race to qualify for the Champions League hots up with six video games left.
“It’s the story of our season. It’s been a good season but there have been so many of these moments,” Chelsea boss Frank Lampard mentioned.
“I’m not happy with any of the goals. There were details in the game which we knew but we lost because we didn’t get them right.
“It’s why we’re preventing for the highest 4 and never first or second. We do not get issues proper as a lot as the massive boys do.”
West Ham’s crucial first win since the restart moved them three points clear of the relegation zone.
At the Emirates Stadium, Aubameyang moved alongside Jamie Vardy as the Premier League’s top scorer on 19 goals on a night of contrasting fortunes for the Golden Boot contenders.
Arsenal registered a third straight win to move up to seventh against a Norwich side ever more resigned to relegation.
Canaries keeper Tim Krul did his side no favours by gifting the opener to Aubameyang when he was caught trying to dribble past the Gabon international.
Aubameyang’s first saw him reach 50 Premier League goals in 79 appearances — making him the fastest Arsenal player to reach that landmark.
“A participant that is ready to rating as many targets as he has carried out in that quick house of time tells you all the pieces in regards to the significance that he has for us,” said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
Aubameyang turned provider for Granit Xhaka to make it 2-0 before half-time and was then handed another gift when Norwich striker Josip Drmic teed him up to make it 3-0.
Cedric Soares, signed from Southampton in January, made his debut one to remember with a long-range strike nine minutes from time to round off the scoring.
Leicester lose more ground
Leicester are headed in the opposite direction as their winless run since English football’s restart from the coronavirus pandemic stretched to four games.
Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson’s penalty gave Everton the perfect start at Goodison Park.
Kelechi Iheanacho’s fortunate goal as the ball ricocheted in off his face reduced Leicester’s arrears and they pressed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages.
“Our kind hasn’t been the perfect for a interval now however we nonetheless have it in our palms to attain what could be a dream for us, moving into the highest 4,” said Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers.
At the bottom of the table, Bournemouth also suffered a huge blow in their battle to beat the drop with a humiliating 4-1 home defeat by Newcastle.
Promoted
Dwight Gayle, Sean Longstaff, Miguel Almiron and Valentino Lazaro had been on track for the Magpies.
Bournemouth stay within the backside three and the margin of defeat may additionally show pricey as they drop beneath Aston Villa on aim distinction into 19th.
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