Slot machine one win away from jackpot

The Premier League title is so close, Liverpool can almost touch it.

Trent Alexander-Arnold's second-half strike in Liverpool's 1-0 victory over Leicester on Sunday put the Merseyside club a single win away from a record-equaling 20th English league crown.

It would not even require that if second-placed Arsenal loses to Crystal Palace on Wednesday. But, regardless of any other result, Liverpool knows that victory against Tottenham at Anfield this coming Sunday will be enough to seal the title.

"One win away now, it's very close," said Alexander-Arnold, who tore his jersey off in celebration after his decisive goal.

Arsenal had ensured Liverpool would have to wait a while longer for its crowning moment, after routing Ipswich 4-0 earlier in the day. And, for long periods at the King Power Stadium, Leicester threatened to frustrate the league leader — even having a Conor Coady goal disallowed before Alexander-Arnold's winner.

Defeat confirmed 2016 league champion Leicester's relegation.

Wolves sealed top-flight safety by beating Manchester United 1-0 after Pablo Sarabia's brilliant second-half freekick.

Chelsea moved up to fifth after rallying to beat Fulham 2-1 with two late goals.

Edging closer

One more win. That's all it will take for Liverpool to be crowned champion and move level with Manchester United's record title haul.

And the joy on Alexander-Arnold's face after crashing a left-footed shot past Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen in the 76th minute underlined the importance of the win.

While the title has looked destined for Anfield for much of the season, this was the latest occasion in recent weeks when the strains of the campaign seemed to weigh on Liverpool.

Against a Leicester team that needed to win to stave off relegation, Liverpool struggled to find a breakthrough, despite hitting the frame of the goal — including twice in the buildup to Alexander-Arnold's strike.

Leicester also saw an effort from Wilfred Ndidi hit the post in the first half, before Coady's effort was ruled out for a foul on Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

On came Alexander-Arnold, who is widely tipped to join Real Madrid at the end of the season, and he provided the decisive moment.

After a goalmouth scramble had seen Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota hit the woodwork, Alexander-Arnold's shot went under the body of Hermansen. The goal sparked wild scenes, as Alexander-Arnold ran to the corner to celebrate with the traveling supporters.

Liverpool's last title in 2020 came during the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning teams had to play behind closed doors.

"To be so close to sealing, for some of us, a second league title, and for a lot of us, a first league title, but especially in front of fans — which is what we've been missing — is very special," Alexander-Arnold said.

Four-midable display

After eliminating holder Real Madrid from the Champions League in midweek, Arsenal cruised to victory against an Ipswich team that is now all but certain to be relegated.

Leandro Trossard's low shot gave Mikel Arteta's team the lead in the 14th minute, and Gabriel Martinelli made it 2-0 before the break.

Trossard scored his ninth of the season in the second half, and Ethan Nwaneri completed the rout late on.

Arsenal plays Palace midweek, when it can at least delay Liverpool's coronation until this weekend.

Ipswich's fate is almost sealed. Sitting 18th in the standings, it can only pick up a maximum of 36 points by winning its remaining five games this season. That would still only put it level with 17th-placed West Ham's current points tally.

Highs and lows

After the highs of United's epic Europa League comeback against Lyon on Thursday, Old Trafford was brought back down to earth with yet another Premier League defeat.

A 15th league loss of the season is a club record high for United in the Premier League era. United has not lost this many games in a league season since the 1989-90 campaign, when it was defeated 16 times in England's old Division One.

According to statistician Opta, eight home defeats in the league is the most since United was beaten nine times at Old Trafford in 1962-63.

United is already certain to set the club's worst-ever points total in the Premier League.

The latest loss left Ruben Amorim's team on 38 points. United's previous lowest total was 58 in the 2021-22 season. With five rounds remaining, even a perfect finish would see United only amass 53.

"We have to score goals. We need to improve in that area of the game clearly. If you don't score goals, you don't win games," United coach Amorim said.

Wolves, meanwhile, made it five league wins in a row — setting a new club record in the Premier League.

Substitute Sarabia had only been on the field for three minutes when he curled a freekick from outside of the area into the top corner.

Wolves moved level on points with United to ensure it would avoid the drop.

Agencies via Xinhua