Bournemouth go second as Arsenal and Aston Villa secure key wins

It was a thrilling afternoon of Premier League football as Bournemouth, Arsenal, and Aston Villa each recorded crucial victories in a dramatic round of fixtures. 

Bournemouth’s impressive 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest lifted them to second place in the table, while Arsenal edged past Crystal Palace, and Aston Villa handed Manchester City a rare defeat at Villa Park.

At the Vitality Stadium, Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth continued their fairytale rise with another commanding performance.

Marcus Tavernier opened the scoring in spectacular fashion, finding the net directly from a corner kick to send the home fans wild. 

Teenage sensation Malamine Kroupi added a second, ensuring a comfortable 2-0 victory and propelling the Cherries to second place in the Premier League, an extraordinary achievement for a club that finished 21st in League Two just over a decade ago.

At the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal continued their fine run of form with a narrow but deserved 1-0 win over Crystal Palace.

Former Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze scored the only goal of the game, his first Premier League strike against his former club, to seal Arsenal’s seventh consecutive victory across all competitions. 

Mikel Arteta’s side are now four points clear at the top of the table and brimming with confidence as they chase another title challenge.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa stunned Manchester City with a 1-0 victory that delighted the home crowd at Villa Park. Matty Cash’s smart finish proved decisive as Unai Emery’s men delivered a disciplined and energetic display.

Despite City’s pressure, goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez was rarely tested, and the champions were left frustrated as a late Erling Haaland goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR check.

Elsewhere, Wolves were denied in heartbreaking fashion as Burnley snatched a dramatic 3-2 win at Molineux. Zian Flemming’s brace helped the visitors stay in the contest before Lyle Foster netted a last-gasp winner deep into stoppage time. 

The result moves Burnley further from the relegation zone and leaves Wolves ruing missed chances after a spirited fightback.