Arsenal have won the Premier League to end a 22-year wait for a title and break a run of three successive seasons as runners-up.
The Gunners were confirmed as champions with a game to spare thanks to Man City slipping up at Bournemouth in a 1-1 draw, with the gap still four points with only one game remaining.
City had been on the back foot for the entirety of the second half after Eli Kroupi Junior’s stunning 39th-minute opener, and while Erling Haaland was able to snatch a stoppage-time equaliser, it was too little, too late for Pep Guardiola who is expected to leave the club at the end of the season.
Mikel Arteta’s side will now travel across London to Crystal Palace on the final day of the 2025/26 season as champions, having clinched the club’s 14th title, the third-most in English football history, but a first since their 2004 “Invincibles”.
Follow our live blog for all the latest reaction from Arsenal’s title win:
Arsenal win Premier League title - live reaction
- Arsenal win Premier League title for first time in 22 years
- Man City failure to beat Bournemouth crowned Gunners as champions
- Pep Guardiola set to leave City at end of season but remains coy over reports
WATCH: Arsenal fans celebrate first Premier League title in 22 years
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Richards: Guardiola is 'greatest manager of his generation'
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"He is the greatest manager of his generation without doubt and I say that because of the way he plays football,” Micah Richards told Sky Sports, speaking on Pep Guardiola. “There are certain ways you can win a football match.
"Arteta and Arsenal have done it a little bit more defensively, but in terms of his 10-year tenure at Man City, if it full backs inverted, false 9s, playing Stones in central midfield in the Champions League final, he has just created a way to love the game and for the game to be played in the right way.
"You can see in his demeanor he is leaving. The way he was answering the questions.
"If he wanted to stay, he would say: 'I'm staying.' It's a sad day for the Premier League and City because he's been an absolute great."
Arsenal's mentality monsters
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Winning the title was in doubt just last month, however, when Arsenal fell to Man City at the Etihad Stadium last month, but the Londoners have since won four games without conceding a goal, with Declan Rice hailing his side’s mentality.
“We knew on the inside that we had the belief and we could still win it [after losing at Man City],” Rice said. "But it’s emotional because where this club has come from over the last 10 years – the ups and downs.
“I wasn’t here before, but I knew about it, I heard about it and to be a part of what is going on now is so special. This club deserves really good things and we have worked really hard towards that, so let’s keep pushing."
Richards says he expected more from Man City
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"Congratulations to Arsenal, but for City, we just expect a little bit more, when it was in their hands, they couldn't get it over the line," said former City defender Micah Richards.
“It’s a bad day. To fall away how they have, Everton is tough, Bournemouth too, but we expect more.”
Iraola hails Guardiola amid exit talk
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"Pep is the top of the top,” Iraola told Sky Sports. “He has won everything.
“It was a difficult game for them, they played three days ago with the tension of a final. We made them play a difficult game and they were obviously tired but they have this quality.
“It makes it even more nice when you play like this against an opposition that are so good.”
How it stands heading into final day
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Arsenal
Played: 37 | Points: 82 | GD: 43
Man City
Played: 37 | Points: 78 | GD: 43
Out of reach.
Declan Rice celebrates Arsenal’s Premier League title win with cheeky Instagram post
23:50 , Lawrence Ostlere
Declan Rice celebrated Arsenal’s Premier League title triumph with an Instagram post calling back to his now famous line at the end of the Gunners’ April defeat by Manchester City.
Rice was pictured saying “it’s not over” to his captain Martin Odegaard at full-time in the 2-1 defeat which swung title-race momentum in favour of reigning champions City.
The moment of defiance was both hailed and mocked on social media, but Rice was proved right as the Gunners sealed their first Premier League title for 22 years following Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw between City and Bournemouth.
He posted: “I told you all… it’s done.”
Declan Rice celebrates Arsenal’s Premier League title win with cheeky Instagram post
No joy for the other side of north London
23:40 , Will Castle
Tottenham’s fight to avoid relegation from the Premier League will go to the final day of the season after they were beaten 2-1 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge to hand 18th-place West Ham a lifeline.
A point in west London would have put an end to the Spurs nightmare that still threatens to pull them into the second tier for the first time in 48 years but they succumbed to familiar frailties, Enzo Fernandez and Andrey Santos scoring in each half for the Blues in entirely avoidable circumstances for Roberto De Zerbi’s side.
Richarlison got one back 16 minutes from the end to offer late hope and give the signal for a hugely tense finish, the jeopardy felt by home fans at potentially being denied a role in sending Spurs down igniting the atmosphere.
Full report from Stamford Bridge:
The crucial opportunity Tottenham missed as relegation battle goes to final day
Keir Starmer basks in Arsenal's glory
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Prime Minister Keir Starmer, an Arsenal fan, has taken to social media to celebrate his team’s triumph.
22 long years for the Arsenal.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) May 19, 2026
But finally, we’re back where we belong.
Champions!
Iraola eyeing thank you gift from Arteta
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Andoni Iraola is hopeful he will receive a thank you gift from childhood friend Mikel Arteta after helping deliver his side the Premier League title.
He said: "It would be lovely. Something! I haven't even checked my phone, I should have at least one text message or something.
"But it was not because of this game. They were probably going to go and finish it themselves.
"I'm happy for him because he's done an incredible job there. The last few seasons they have been very consistent."
Bournemouth secure European football
23:20 , Will Castle
All the attention tonight will be on Arsenal’s title triumph, but let’s spare a word for Bournemouth.
Their result against Manchester City means they will play European football next season.
From the brink of demise at the bottom of the Football League 18 years ago, what an incredible come-up they’ve experienced.
How the world looked when Arsenal last won the Premier League: Blair in charge, Eamon at No 1, £2 pints
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Arsenal have won the Premier League title for the first time since 2004.
Here is a glimpse at how the world looked the last time the Gunners finished top of the pile.
The last time the Gunners topped the league, Tony Blair was serving his second term as Prime Minister, with Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak, and Sir Keir Starmer all yet to hold the office.
Daily life also looked different: a pint of beer in the UK cost £2.33, a pint of milk was just 35p, and a loaf of bread set you back 64p.
Read more:
How the world looked when Arsenal last won the league: Blair’s Labour and £2 pints
How Arsenal fans reacted to Junior Kroupi's goal
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Arsenal fans LIVE REACTION to that Junior Kroupi goal that could WIN them the Premier League tonight…
— Midnite (@midnite) May 19, 2026
🎥 - @BeanymanSports pic.twitter.com/hF6zIl9S3o
Look who's joined the party!
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Ian Wright is amongst the celebrations outside the Emirates!
The wait is over
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In winning their first league title in 22 years, Arsenal have ended their longest drought without lifting the trophy since their first triumph in 1931.
Guardiola congratulates Arteta before speaking on future
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"[I need to] congratulate Arsenal, Mikel and the backroom staff, the fans for the Premier League which they deserved,” Guardiola said in his press conference.
"I would love to have arrived in the last moment. Today the fatigue was there. Bournemouth had 12 days to prepare. The impact from the fresh players was not good enough.
"We fought a lot and we prepare next season.
"With the club, I always talk. But not now. The first thing you should understand, I have to talk with the chairman first.
"We will talk in the next few days. First, we have to talk with the chairman what we have to do."
Arsenal's watch party erupts
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We did it, together. pic.twitter.com/wQDp02LvLd
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 19, 2026
WATCH: Moment Arsenal win first Premier League title in 22 years
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Scenes at the Emirates
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Inside Arsenal’s Premier League triumph and the crucial intervention that turned the title race
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As Mikel Arteta finally gets to savour the moment, he will be repeating a few words he couldn’t help ruminate on throughout the season. “Twenty-two years,” he’d say to anyone listening. “Twenty-two years. It’s far too long for a club like Arsenal.”
And now, after so much angst and frustration from the length of that very wait, Arteta and his squad can at last say it’s over. On Sunday, he will lift the Premier League trophy, the club’s first title since 2004 and 14th in all.
The Basque, for his part, was more conscious than anyone of the effects of that wait. He could sense it through the season, that sudden danger when everything looked like slipping away in the manner that so many people expected.
If there has been one great virtue of Arsenal’s campaign, it is how Arteta has managed that; how he ensured the team stayed in control.
Inside Arsenal’s Premier League triumph and the moment that turned the title race
Five key games that took Arsenal to the title
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Arsenal 1-0 Burnley (May 18)
It was not a vintage performance by any means, but it will be remembered as the game that put the club on the brink. Arsenal’s breakthrough arrived, as it so often has in their championship-winning campaign, from a corner (19 of Arsenal’s 69 Premier League goals have come from corners this season) with Havertz heading home in the 36th minute. The win meant City had to beat Bournemouth, and after Guardiola’s men came unstuck on the south coast, Arsenal were able to celebrate their first title in 22 years.
Five key games that took Arsenal to the title
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Arsenal 3-0 Fulham (May 2)
Arsenal have been a bundle of nerves at the Emirates Stadium all season, but the shackles were off against Fulham with Gyokeres scoring twice and Bukayo Saka also on target. The home crowd were suddenly back onside, and the result moved Arsenal six points clear of City. Pep Guardiola’s side had two games in hand, but would end up drawing 3-3 with Everton to allow Arteta’s men to claw back the initiative.
Five key games that took Arsenal to the title
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Manchester City 2-1 Arsenal (April 19)
Arteta’s side headed to the Etihad Stadium with just one win in five matches, and although they lost again, as Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland scored either side of Kai Havertz’s goal to take the title race out of their hands for the first time since October, it was not the bloodbath that some might have expected. Arsenal went toe-to-toe with City, and the performance provided them with renewed belief. At the final whistle, Declan Rice told his team-mates “it’s not done”, and the midfielder proved to be right. The Gunners used the “fuel” of losing to their title rivals as a springboard to winning their next four games without conceding.
Five key games that took Arsenal to the title
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Arsenal 2-0 Everton (March 14)
Arsenal laboured against David Moyes’ well-drilled Everton side before Year 11 student Max Dowman’s introduction in the 74th minute changed the game, and the course of the title race, in the Gunners’ favour. Dowman provided Gyokeres’ opener with one minute left before the teenager, aged 16 years and 73 days, struck a stoppage-time breakaway goal to become the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history.
Five key games that took Arsenal to the title
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Tottenham 1-4 Arsenal (February 22)
Dropped points in draws at Brentford and then Wolves – where they surrendered a two-goal lead – prompted questions about Arsenal’s title mentality ahead of a trip to Spurs. However, Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze both scored twice as the Gunners ran riot at the home of their fierce rivals to silence their critics and move five points clear of City.
Declan Rice reacts to Arsenal title win
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The all-important goal
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Eli Junior Kroupi’s stunner put Arsenal on course for the title - and they never strayed from it.
A HUGE goal for the title race!
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 19, 2026
Eli Junior Kroupi with a glorious finish to give Bournemouth the lead against Man City! 🍒 pic.twitter.com/Zd5si2q7yX
Guardiola remains coy over exit reports
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Pep Guardiola has remained coy over his future and has chosen not confirmed the reports surrounding his imminent exit at Manchester City.
He told Sky Sports: “I could say I have one more year of contract. I’m in a position I’ve had for many many years. It’s always from my experience, when you announce during the competition, it’s a bad result.
“The first person I have to talk to is my chairman. We decide when we finish the season, we’ll see and we’ll talk. It’s as simple as that and after that we’ll take the decision.
“I will not tell you here because I have to talk with my chairman, my players and my staff.”
He added: "I'm the happiest man in the planet to be in this club, this club is just extraordinary."
Heartbreak for Man City
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In Arsenal’s ecstasy comes Manchester City’s agony, on a day that looks set to go down as one of the most gut-wrenching in their history.
A last-gasp Erling Haaland strike was too little, too late at the Vitality as they failed to do what was required and beat Bournemouth, ending their title hopes going into the final day.
And on that final day, Pep Guardiola will by all accounts bid farewell after a glory-laden 10 years at the Etihad - news that has emerged over the past 24 hours.
Guardiola is about to speak to Sky Sports - let’s see what he has to say...
WATCH: Arsenal win Premier League title as fans celebrate in packed pub
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Arsenal win Premier League title
21:43 , Will Castle
Arsenal are Premier League champions for a fourth time, and a first time since their 2004 Invincibles.
They last topped the table when Arsene Wenger guided the club to the third of three titles in his famous reign, doing the unprecedented by going unbeaten in a 38-game Premier League campaign.
But in the seventh full season of Arteta’s spell in charge at Emirates Stadium, having rebuilt the club, Arsenal have finally returned to the top of English football.
Arsenal win Premier League title
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A quick warning for headphone users - the full-time scenes at the Emirates were taking the microphones in place to their absolute limit.
Sheer, unadulterated jubilation. It’s been a long 22 years.
CHAMPIONS! North London reacts to the news from the south coast 🏆 pic.twitter.com/rgG9dtt0Mj
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 19, 2026
Arsenal win Premier League title
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Arsenal in gold.
The Arsenal. Your Premier League champions. pic.twitter.com/gNnfzesrhP
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 19, 2026
Arsenal win Premier League title
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It’s OVER!
Arsenal have won the Premier League to end a 22-year wait for a title and break a run of three successive seasons as runners-up.
The Gunners were confirmed as champions with a game to spare thanks to Man City slipping up at Bournemouth in a 1-1 draw, with the gap still four points with only one game remaining.
Mikel Arteta’s side will now travel across London to Crystal Palace on the final day of the 2025/26 season as champions, having clinched the club’s 14th title, the third-most in English football history.
FULL-TIME! ARSENAL WIN PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE!
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It IS too little too late for Manchester City! The full-time whistle goes, and ARSENAL ARE PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS!
GOAL! Bournemouth 1-1 Man City (Haaland, 90+5')
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It’s Rodri off the post, then Erling Haaland fires home!
Wow. Man City need another. Is it too little, too late?
Bournemouth 1-0 Man City
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90+4 mins: Marmoush... fires into the wall. That sums up City tonight.
Bournemouth 1-0 Man City
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90+3 mins: Kluivert has lost his head a bit here. He’s just been booked for a coming together with Rodri and seconds later goes right into the back of the Spaniard to give away a free-kick on the edge of the area.
He escapes another booking but this has given City a chance at staging a miracle. This needs to go in.
Bournemouth 1-0 Man City
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90+1 mins: Six minutes added on. Six minutes until Arsenal are crowned, barring some Aguero-esque City heroics.
Bournemouth 1-0 Man City
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90 mins: OFF THE POST! It’s Brooks again, and he’s in on goal... and this time he hits the woodwork!
Arsenal fans will be praying the Welshman’s finishing doesn’t come back to haunt them. He’s had two golden chances to seal the title for them in a matter of moments.
Bournemouth 1-0 Man City
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88 mins: CHANCE! That could have been it!
Brooks receives the ball on a plate and with time to control but doesn’t catch it cleanly, instead shooting first time and only producing a tame effort that’s easily saved by Donnarumma.
As we enter the final moments of normal time, it surely won’t make a difference to the fate of the title race - but that would’ve sealed it!
Bournemouth 1-0 Man City
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85 mins: Noel Gallagher has seen enough - the broadcast cameras have just shown him heading for the exits.
Bournemouth 1-0 Man City
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84 mins: Man City have a free-kick from about 35 yards out but they’ll have to take it as Bournemouth make another change.
David Brooks enters the fray for Rayan.
With every passing second, Arsenal and Mikel Arteta are getting closer to a first league title since The Invincibles, 22 years ago.
Bournemouth 1-0 Man City
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80 mins: Just 10 minutes to go. Arsenal are 10 minutes away from becoming Premier League champions, unless Manchester City score two.
Bournemouth 1-0 Man City
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79 mins: Petrovic gets away with one after spilling O’Reilly’s deflected looping header under pressure, but he gets a second bite of the cherry and collects the ball on his goal line.
Bournemouth 1-0 Man City
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76 mins: More changes for both teams.
Jeremy Doku is replaced by Omar Marmoush for Manchester City, and goalscorer Eli Kroupi Junior makes way for Justin Kluivert.
The Frenchman is on course to go down in Arsenal folklore...
Bournemouth 1-0 Man City
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74 mins: It’s pinball in the Bournemouth box from a Cherki corner but the bounce breaks kindly for the Cherries, as it has for a lot of this game.
They then go up the other end and win a corner for themselves. This is dream viewing for Arsenal fans.
Bournemouth 1-0 Man City
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71 mins: Rayan putting in defensive duties now, ushering the ever-dangerous Doku out to win a goal-kick. He celebrates with the crowd like he’s scored.
With 20 minutes to go, the walls are closing in on Manchester City.
Bournemouth 1-0 Man City
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69 mins: SAVE! Rayan’s cross takes a wicked deflection off O’Reilly and it requires a big stop from Donnarumma to stop that creeping into the bottom corner.
Bournemouth 1-0 Man City
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67 mins: Bournemouth could be sitting back at this point, defending their lead, but they’re doing the opposite.
City are struggling to get out against the press, having just dealt with a flurry of corner and long James Hill throws.
Bournemouth 1-0 Man City
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63 mins: Rodri aims for the top-right corner... but it flies over. Shakes of the head from City fans. With less than half an hour to play, they can feel this slipping away.
Bournemouth 1-0 Man City
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62 mins: More heart-in-mouth action for the visitors as Bournemouth’s corner is headed down, sparking panic in the box before an effort is fired just wide of the post.
The referee does blow for a foul so City would have been alright. But a scary moment, and going two down would surely kill this title race for good.
Bournemouth 1-0 Man City
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60 mins: CHANCE! It is a joy to watch this Bournemouth team.
They break forward down the left with Truffert who pulls it back to Evanilson on the edge of the box. The Brazilian flicks it behind him for Kroupi to fire again, but the Frenchman bends over.
Bournemouth 1-0 Man City
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56 mins: And Phil Foden to said cavalry. Foden, Cherki and Savinho replace Kovacic, Silva and Semenyo for Manchester City.
No goals on his return to the Vitality for Semenyo. Kovacic’s surprise start has not paid off.
Bournemouth 1-0 Man City
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54 mins: City have a lot more about them since the restart.
Bernardo Silva just had another half-chance in the area, but he was crowded out and his effort was blocked.
Guardiola is now bringing on the cavalry. Rayan Cherki and Savinho are stripped and ready. A statement of intent.
Bournemouth 1-0 Man City
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52 mins: SAVE! Lovely one-touch play from Bournemouth fashions a half-chance for Evanilson who flicks goalwards, and it requires a stop from Donnarumma.
Bournemouth 1-0 Man City
20:39 , Will Castle
49 mins: Haaland just saw the flag go up against him early as he was bearing down on goal from halfway.
Usually those are played out - and replays showed that he might have been onside.
A strange, and potentially detrimental, call from the linesman.
Bournemouth 1-0 Man City
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46 mins: SAVE! City have come out swinging in this second half!
Haaland slips O’Reilly through after a lovely turn by Semenyo on the halfway line, but the Englishman can’t beat Petrovic.
That would’ve been the perfect start for Guardiola’s side.
BACK UNDERWAY! Bournemouth 1-0 Man City
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And we’re off again.
Arsenal are 45 minutes away from the Premier League title, as things stand.
Micah Richards calls on Man City to step up tempo
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"Man City have started lethargically,” said Richards on Sky Sports.
"They have been too slow. They haven't got near anyone and have been cut open with ease.
"They need more urgency."
HALF-TIME! Bournemouth 1-0 Man City
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HALF-TIME! Bournemouth 1-0 Man City
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Eli Kroupi Junior’s stunning curler is proving the difference so far with Bournemouth currently on course to deliver Arsenal the Premier League title tonight.
Manchester City need a victory to stay in the title race but will now need to score (at least) two goals to take things to the final day.
Antoine Semenyo had an early goal disallowed for offside while Evanilson missed an absolute sitter minutes afterwards.
While this clash could prove decisive at the top of the table, Bournemouth have also taken a huge step towards achieving their own ambitions and are now on track to seal Europa League qualification.
HALF-TIME! Bournemouth 1-0 Man City
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Bournemouth lead, Manchester City have problems and Arsenal are halfway towards the Premier League title.
Bournemouth 1-0 Man City
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45+2 mins: Bournemouth have their tails up and want to extend their lead before the break.
They come forward and switch it nicely, with Guehi required to stick out a foot to touch it for a throw.
Bournemouth 1-0 Man City
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45+1 mins: Two minutes added on for first-half stoppages.
Bournemouth 1-0 Man City
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41 mins: There’s a heart-in-mouth moment as Kroupi breaks in behind again, but he’s about five yards offside.
Bournemouth aren’t just on course to deny Man City the title - this also puts them on track to seal a Europa League place.
GOAL! Bournemouth 1-0 Man City (Kroupi, 39')
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Bournemouth lead and there’ll be JUBILATION in North London!
Eli Junior Kroupi whips into the top right corner to put Manchester City behind, who now need two to keep the title race alive.
HOW BIG OF A GOAL COULD THAT BE?!
Bournemouth 0-0 Man City
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37 mins: Hill does well to read Semenyo’s through ball to Haaland, jumping across and winning a free-kick.
But in the break in play, it’s Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams who ends up in the book, seeing yellow for sarcastic applause towards Anthony Taylor.
Bournemouth 0-0 Man City
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35 mins: A bit of drama on the touchline as Anthony Taylor gives a stern talking-to to one of Andoni Iraola’s assistants.
Just a warning for now.
Bournemouth 0-0 Man City
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30 mins: It’s Doku again trying to provide the attacking impetus for City as he tries to bring a ball down and dart in behind, but Hill intervenes.
An unsung hero for the Cherries this season. Rarely put a foot wrong.
Bournemouth 0-0 Man City
19:59 , Will Castle
27 mins: Doku tries to catch out Petrovic at his near post and wins a corner as the Bournemouth stopper parries it around his near post.
The resulting delivery sparks pinball in the box as O’Reilly tries to flick it goalwards, before it falls to Haaland whose effort at the tight angle is blocked.
Bournemouth 0-0 Man City
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25 mins: Bournemouth look to strike on the counter as a long ball is pinged for Evanilson to chase.
He has a scrap with Marc Guehi over 20 yards which ends with both men hitting the deck, and the referee rules in favour of the City defender.
Bournemouth 0-0 Man City
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22 mins: Little to separate the teams so far - if not for fine margins (and shocking finishing), this game would be one apiece.
Bournemouth 0-0 Man City
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15 mins: CHANCE! How has he missed?!
It’s a howler from Evanilson who has it put on a plate for him from Tavernier, but his effort from close range bounces into the ground and over the bar!
The offside flag then goes up which may help him feel a bit better - but that was a close call, to say the least.
City will be counting their blessings.
NO GOAL! Bournemouth 0-0 Man City
19:43 , Will Castle
12 mins: Antoine Semenyo has the ball in the net against his former club after being beautifully slipped in by Erling Haaland... but the flag goes up!
Didn’t look like there was much in it - but the check is cleared and the decision of no goal is confirmed.
Bournemouth 0-0 Man City
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8 mins: The chant of “one more year, one more year, Guardiola” is ringing out from the away end as Man City fans make their plea to the Catalan, who is seemingly on his way out at the end of the season.
Not sure they’ll get their wish...
Bournemouth 0-0 Man City
19:36 , Will Castle
5 mins: CHANCE! A first big opening for the visitors!
It’s worked wonderfully from the right to Doku just inside the box, whose first touch sends his man and gives him a shooting opportunity.
The Belgian can’t whip it far enough into the left corner and it’s a comfortable save for Petrovic. But that was a chance.
Bournemouth 0-0 Man City
19:34 , Will Castle
3 mins: This has started at a great tempo for the neutral - but maybe not to Man City’s taste.
Bournemouth are showing encouraging signs early on, ticking the ball around the area with their dangermen getting a few touches in the box.
KICK-OFF! Bournemouth 0-0 Man City
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And we’re underway!
Closing in on kick-off
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We’re just minutes away from kick-off on the south coast with Manchester City’s title hopes very much on a knife-edge.
After what has been a crazy couple hours of build-up, made up mostly of developments not concerning this specific game, we now turn full focus to the Vitality.
A huge 90 minutes coming up. Arsenal will be watching on with the champagne on ice.
Here come the teams. Don’t, go, anywhere.
Familiar face at the Vitality
19:20 , Will Castle
Antoine Semenyo returns to familiar territory for tonight’s must-win clash, facing his former side Bournemouth.
The winger joined Manchester City from the Cherries in January and has inspired Pep Guardiola’s side back into title contention having seemed off the pace at the halfway point.
However, the dream will end tonight if City can’t pull off a victory against his former employers.
Pep Guardiola 'probed' over exit rumours
19:14 , Will Castle
Pep Guardiola has just spoken to Sky Sports ahead of tonight’s clash with Bournemouth, and we were all expecting for him to be asked about the noise regarding his reportedly imminent Manchester City exit.
That’s not what we got because Sky opted against asking him about the rumours directly.
Instead, Guardiola was only questioned whether the talk had affected his pre-match preparations, to which he responded: “Zero.”
BREAKING: Southampton kicked out of Championship play-off final over spying scandal
19:03 , Will Castle
Absolutely seismic news coming out of the Championship tonight.
Southampton have been expelled from the Championship play-offs for spying as Middlesbrough will instead face Hull City in the final at Wembley on Saturday.
Southampton, who had beaten Boro 2-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals, admitted multiple breaches of Football League regulations as they said they were guilty of unauthorised filming of other clubs’ training sessions.
An independent disciplinary commission has also given Southampton a four-point deduction, which will apply to next season’s Championship.
Full story:
Southampton kicked out of Championship play-off final over spying scandal
Pep Guardiola’s most memorable Man City moments
18:59 , Will Castle
Pep Guardiola is set to conclude his remarkable decade-long reign at Manchester City this summer, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy of 20 trophies.
His potential departure would mark the end of an era defined by tactical innovation, relentless success, and a profound transformation of the club's identity, and here are his most memorable moments during his time in the City dugout...
Guardiola’s most memorable moments: Kompany’s thunderbolt and conquering Europe
Andoni Iraola: Taking Bournemouth into Europe would be 'best way to finish'
18:52 , Will Castle
Andoni Iraola says guiding Bournemouth into Europe for the first time in the club’s 127-year history would be the perfect way to mark his final home game as head coach.
“It would be lovely for me,” said Iraola, who announced last month he will step down at the end of the season after three years in charge.
“It would be the best way to finish these amazing three seasons.
“Especially this year, it has been really challenging for me as a coach because we’ve changed a lot the team and we’ve changed, not completely our style, but it’s a different type of football comparing to last season.
“It would be the best way to end it.”
The troubling Bournemouth challenge
18:45 , Will Castle
Manchester City need a victory tonight - but Andoni Iraola’s ambitious Cherries will hardly offer a walk-over.
Bournemouth have lofty dreams of their own and are targeting a spot in the Europa League. Iraola’s men are unbeaten in 16 matches - a run that goes back to January - which includes high-profile wins over Liverpool and Arsenal.
Adding City to the list of big clubs beaten this year would guarantee the Cherries at least sixth place in the league as well as a place in Europe so they have everything to play for tonight.
The other side of Pep Guardiola that complicates Man City legacy
18:37 , Miguel Delaney
When other coaches are asked about Pep Guardiola, and almost invariably describe him as the game’s greatest manager, there’s usually one common compliment. The Catalan made them think about things they didn’t expect. He comes up with plays and tactics they couldn’t have imagined.
On the whole, in perhaps the best eulogy for Guardiola, he’s turned football thinking on its head.
However, his allegiance to Manchester City - a “sportswashing” vehicle for the projection of the power of Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates - provokes questions about his legacy beyond the pitch.
The other side of Pep Guardiola that complicates Man City legacy
Your move, City
18:30 , Will Castle
The title could slip out of Manchester City’s grasp tonight if they don’t do the business against Bournemouth, after Arsenal scraped their way past Burnley last night to leave them on the brink of glory.
Here’s Miguel Delaney’s report from that potentially decisive result at the Emirates:
Resolute Arsenal do it the hard way but Premier League title now within grasp
One forced change for Bournemouth
18:25 , Will Castle
Just the single change for Andoni Iraola’s side, and it’s one they’ve been forced to make after Ryan Christie’s red card against Fulham last time out.
Tyler Adams comes in to replace the Scot.
Guardiola names surprise starter for crucial clash
18:23 , Will Castle
Pep Guardiola has chosen to give Mateo Kovacic his first league start of an injury-maligned season against Bournemouth, joining Rodri in what looks to be a double-pivot.
The decision means Bernardo Silva moves into a more attacking role while Rayan Cherki remains on the bench.
Gianluigi Donnarumma also regains his starting spot after James Trafford played in the FA Cup final.
Man City team news
18:18 , Will Castle
Man City XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O’Reilly; Rodri, Kovacic; Silva, Semenyo, Doku; Haaland.
Subs: Trafford, Dias, Reijnders, Stones, Marmoush, Cherki, Gvardiol, Savinho, Foden.
Tonight’s team to face Bournemouth! 💪🩵
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 19, 2026
XI | Donnarumma, Nunes, Khusanov, Guéhi, O’Reilly, Rodri, Kovacic, Bernardo (C), Semenyo, Doku, Haaland
SUBS | Trafford, Dias, Reijnders, Stones, Marmoush, Cherki, Gvardiol, Savinho, Foden
🤝 @etihad pic.twitter.com/jYkOJdbCaD
Bournemouth team news
18:17 , Will Castle
Bournemouth XI: Petrovic; Smith, Hill, Senesi, Truffert; Adams, Scott; Rayan, Kroupi, Tavernier; Evanilson.
Subs: Mandas, Cook, Brooks, Gannon-Doak, Diakite, Kluivert, Adli, Unal, Toth.
🔴 TEAM NEWS 🔵
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) May 19, 2026
Up the Cherries 🍒🍒🍒#BOUMCI | #afcb pic.twitter.com/9Y7Cw5lD7G
Team news coming up
18:12 , Will Castle
We’re just a few minutes away from learning tonight’s team news - here’s what we know so far...
Ryan Christie will miss the match after picking up a red card in the win over Fulham. Lewis Cook and Julio Soler are back from injuries and could play a part but right-back Alex Jimenez has been suspended by the club.
Pep Guardiola has a full squad to choose from with Rodri back from injury having played 65 minutes of the FA Cup final last Saturday. Rayan Cherki is expected to start ahead of Omar Marmoush with Gianluigi Donnarumma set to return in goal.
Pep Guardiola pushing Man City on to take title race to wire
18:06 , Will Castle
Before any exit for Pep Guardiola, he and City will have another chance to win the Premier League - but they need a win on the south coast tonight to keep their hopes alive.
They trail Arsenal by five points with two games to go and must win both of their remaining matches.
Ahead of tonight’s clash with Bournemouth, Guardiola called on his team to take things to the wire.
"The important thing is to arrive at the end with options," Guardiola stated. "All we want is to be with our people in the last game to try to fight. To extend for these last four or five days what we have to do is win at Bournemouth."
Mikel Arteta on Pep Guardiola's possible exit
17:59 , Will Castle
When news broke of Pep Guardiola’s potential exit yesterday, Arsenal were preparing for a huge match against Burnley.
They won that 1-0 to keep the destination of the Premier League title in their own hands and Mikel Arteta was asked about Guardiola after the match.
He told Sky Sports: "Once he makes that decision then we can talk about it. Before that, nobody should do it."
Who is the greatest Premier League manager of all time?
17:52 , Will Castle
With Guardiola reportedly set to leave Manchester City after a trophy-laden decade at the Etihad, debate is already raging over where he ranks among the Premier League’s managerial greats.
Six league titles, a Champions League and a record-breaking era of dominance have put Guardiola alongside icons such as Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho in the conversation – but who comes out on top? Vote in our poll below:
Mikel Arteta jokes he will be ‘the biggest ever’ Bournemouth fan
17:45 , Will Castle
Mikel Arteta is ready to become “the biggest ever” Bournemouth fan with his Arsenal team on the brink of Premier League glory.
After yesterday’s win over Burnley, the Gunners could be crowned champions if Manchester City fail to beat the Cherries tonight.
And when asked if he will be a Bournemouth fan for the upcoming 90 minutes of football, Arteta said: “The biggest ever.
“(Bournemouth manager) Andoni (Iraola), and all the players and all the supporters of Bournemouth, I think we are all fans because we know what it means if they get a result.
“I don’t think (a text to Iraola) is needed. What he’s done in that football club, the transformation, what they are playing for, I don’t think they need anything else.
Enzo Maresca favourite to replace Pep Guardiola
17:38 , Will Castle
Naturally when news of a manager’s departure drops speculation in who will replace them begins to rise.
In this case, Enzo Maresca is the favourite to take over at the Etihad Stadium once Guardiola’s exit is confirmed.
Maresca was an assistant to Guardiola during City’s treble winning season of 2022/23 before winning promotion from the Championship with Leicester and claiming the Club World Cup with Chelsea.
Maresca fell out with the Chelsea ownership back in January and was replaced with Liam Rosenior. It was then that rumours began of him being in talks with City to replace Guardiola.
Here’s everything you need to know about Guardiola’s potential successor:
Would Enzo Maresca be the right man to replace Pep Guardiola?
Pep Guardiola’s decade of dominance changed English football – but it also changed him
17:31 , Richard Jolly
A clue came when Pep Guardiola said part of him would leave with Bernardo Silva. It wasn’t strictly accurate: it turns out all of the Manchester City manager is set to go when his captain departs.
Guardiola’s final season at the Etihad Stadium has taken place with his future providing the backdrop: there have been times when, looking drained, it felt like his last but others when, energised by a new-look team, it felt like he might see out a contract that runs until 2027.
Now it looks as if he is indeed set to leave. An era is ending. Guardiola is unlikely to have done the maths on it, but his valedictory match, against Aston Villa on Sunday, will mean he has managed City more times than anyone else, a 593rd game to Les McDowall’s 592. He is approaching 200 more victories in their dugout than anyone else. Calling him City’s greatest manager is utterly uncontroversial. The surprise is not that he is going now, but that he has had such longevity.
Pep Guardiola’s decade of dominance changed English football but it also changed him
How can Arsenal win the title tonight?
17:23 , Will Castle
Arsenal’s nervy victory over Burnley has put them on the brink of glory and they will win the title away from the pitch with a game to spare if Man City slip up at Bournemouth tonight.
If City win on the south coast, the title race continues to a final-day showdown.
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
