Summary

  • FT: Man City 4-1 Aston Villa - Foden scores brilliant hat-trick to help City to victory

  • FT: Arsenal 2-0 Luton - Gunners return to top of Premier League table with routine win

  • FT: Brentford 0-0 Brighton - Bees now six points clear of bottom three

  1. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 19:09 British Summer Time 3 April

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    As a Liverpool fan this is a perfect evening, light evenings, 2 points clear and 2 tough games for our rivals, a few relaxed pints down the pub hoping for as many dropped points as possible

    Rich, Cheltenham

  2. 'Arsenal's record against promoted sides speaks for itself'published at 19:08 British Summer Time 3 April

    Arsenal v Luton (19:30 BST)

    Mark Warburton
    Former Brentford and Nottingham Forest boss on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Mikel Arteta will be fancying his side's chances this evening. Their record against promoted sides speaks for itself, 33 wins out of 38, so the data is certainly in their favour.

    They have made some changes tonight, so it will be interesting to see how the different personnel adapt. They have certainly got the quality to win the game.

    Luton have shown they can score plenty of goals themselves, so they will come to the Emirates knowing they can pose a threat.

  3. 'Arsenal will control this game from the start'published at 19:06 British Summer Time 3 April

    Arsenal v Luton (19:30 BST)

    .Image source, .

    Arsenal needed a last-gasp Declan Rice goal to clinch a crazy 4-3 win last time these teams met, but it won't be anywhere near as close at the Emirates.

    Luton will have a go, we know that, but the Gunners showed how strong they are defensively in Sunday's goalless draw with Manchester City and I am expecting them to control this game from the start.

    Prediction: 3-0

  4. 'We will continue to do what we do best - fight'published at 19:04 British Summer Time 3 April

    Arsenal v Luton Town (19:30 BST)

    Luto fan voice bannerImage source, BBC Sport

    Ollie Kay, We Are Luton Town

    Luton Town have and continue to give an incredible account of themselves this season. I have written about it before, where the fight and determination we have cannot be bought, it is simply part of the club's genetics with players carefully recruited so they match what we ask of them.

    As the squad thins out because injuries, you see these players still giving their all for the shirt, for the fans and most importantly for their survival in the Premier League.

    Relegation has not been confirmed, not by a long shot. Tough trips to Arsenal and Man City are soon to come, but then we get down to the meat and drink of what our survival will be decided upon. Games against those immediately around us - Everton, Brentford and other teams in the lower half of the table.

    Survival is still in our hands, it always has been, the odds and injury table may be stacked against us, but we will continue to do what we do best, fight.

  5. 'Is De Zerbi in danger of tarnishing Albion legacy?'published at 19:03 British Summer Time 3 April

    Brentford v Brighton (19:30 BST)

    Brighton Fans voice bannerImage source, BBC Sport

    Scott McCarthy, We Are Brighton

    If you respect Brighton as a club, the Albion fans will remember you and your achievements fondly. Something for Roberto de Zerbi to consider, perhaps?

    Leading up to the Liverpool game, De Zerbi again questioned whether Tony Bloom's ambition matches his own. He also revealed that talks on a new contract have stalled because of it.

    De Zerbi later added that nothing could take away the history the club made last season and his connection with supporters. The first part of that statement might be true, but he could be in for a rude awakening with the second.

    Whether De Zerbi stays or goes, he is in danger of tarnishing his legacy at the Albion. He deserves to depart as a Brighton great for what he has done, like Mac Allister.

    Please don't ruin it, Roberto.

  6. 'De Zerbi looks pretty desperate to get out'published at 19:02 British Summer Time 3 April

    Brentford v Brighton (19:30 BST)

    Chris Sutton
    Former Blackburn striker on BBC Radio 5 Live Monday Night Club podcast

    De Zerbi sits on the Brighton benchImage source, Getty Images

    If you are a Brighton fan then you look at some of the things Roberto de Zerbi is saying and thinking he looks pretty desperate to get out.

    He is ambitious and he is probably thinking: 'We did well last season and we tried our best in Europe, but we sell our best players every year.'

    "He is thinking about getting out while it is going good. We all understand that. I am not sure he is gone about it in the right way, though. He may as well hold a sign above his head that says: 'Come and get me!'

  7. 'Fans should be very impressed with what they saw against United''published at 19:00 British Summer Time 3 April

    Brentford v Brighton (19:30 BST)

    Mark Warburton
    Former Brentford boss on BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily podcast

    Ajer celebrates his goal v UnitedImage source, Getty Images

    Brentford were outstanding on Saturday. There were periods at the start of both halves where Manchester United had more possession, but in general they absorbed it and weathered the storm.

    Brentford showed their quality all over the park with their desire, intensity and timing. They were excellent for long periods. They should have taken all three points comfortably.

  8. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 18:58 British Summer Time 3 April

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    If Haaland is that bad people think then, be honest and thumbs up who want him in your team or otherwise.

    Erl of Manchester

    Surely written in the stars that with all the criticism on Haaland, he will now turn around and score a hat trick tonight to silence those critics. Although as a Villa fan, I hope I'm wrong.

    Rob, Reading

    Lineker became a hero for loafing in the 6 yard box and scoring tap-ins.. at least Haaland works for his goals

    Paul, Weslh Seagull

  9. 'Four teenagers and two goalkeepers on the bench'published at 18:56 British Summer Time 3 April

    Arsenal v Luton (19:30 BST)

    Luton Town

    Luton boss Rob Edwards, speaking to TNT Sports, about naming 16-year-old Christian Chigozie on the substitutes bench: "We think highly of him. He's a great lad and we think he has got a big future.

    "That shows you where we are at [in terms of injuries]. Four teenagers and two goalkeepers on the bench. Slightly different to Arsenal's bench I think."

  10. 'Luton have proved they can score home and away'published at 18:54 British Summer Time 3 April

    Arsenal v Luton (19:30 BST)

    Mark Warburton
    Former Brentford and Nottingham Forest boss on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Luton have proven this season that they can score goals both home and away. If you look at their scoring record so far they have 42 goals which is more than Manchester United.

    A tremendous record in terms of attacking the opposition box, but there is no doubt that they also concede a lot, and very late on as well.

    Rob Edwards will be keen for his side to be defensively strong, but at the same time maintain that dynamism and intensity that has served them so well in attacking areas.

  11. 'Luton simply have to find a way to win games'published at 18:51 British Summer Time 3 April

    Arsenal v Luton Town (19:30 BST)

    Phil Mc contributor profileImage source, BBC Sport

    I think Luton have actually been playing better than Everton and Forest for some time now but they seem to have a problem getting games over the line - leading then losing.

    My current belief is that Luton Town, Sheffield United and Burnley will go down but then we have the unknown of points deductions imposed on Forest, which they are appealing against, and Everton – who may yet have more points deducted for another alleged breach of financial regulations.

    Out of the three I have mentioned, I think Luton could be the team that could defy that prediction but they simply have to find a way to win games in a way that is currently escaping them, even when they have the lead.

  12. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 18:50 British Summer Time 3 April

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    Really surprised at the number and type of changes Arteta has made. Sentimentally, I’m really pleased to see plyers like ESR, Partey and Zinchenko get minutes. On the other hand, I expect Luton to make things difficult and I worry about the lack of minutes in those guys’ legs. Lets not concede in the first minute. Can’t bring Nelson of the bench this time for a last minute winner anyway.

    Luis

  13. Postpublished at 18:48 British Summer Time 3 April

    Arsenal v Luton (19:30 BST)

    Arsenal

    Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to TNT Sports about the absence of Bukayo Saka: "He had to come off against Manchester City three days ago feeling something and he hasn't been able to do everything that we needed to give him the chance to start the game. So we have decided not to play him."

  14. Schoolboy defender on Luton benchpublished at 18:46 British Summer Time 3 April

    Arsenal v Luton (19:30 BST)

    Luton Town

    Luton Town have a 16-year-old on the bench at Arsenal. Christian Chigozie is still at school. What a moment for the young defender.

  15. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 18:44 British Summer Time 3 April

    #bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only - standard rates apply) or WhatsApp 03301231826

    Some absolute nonsense coming in today. People have quickly forgotten that Haaland is absolutely rapid at runs in behind and regularly shrugs off world class centre backs. Maybe he's not the silkiest of dribblers, but he's hardly a tap-in merchant.

    Dan

  16. 'More soporific than super'published at 18:40 British Summer Time 3 April

    Pat Nevin
    Former Chelsea and Scotland winger on for the BBC Football Extra newsletter

    Haaland and Gabriel wrestle off the ballImage source, Getty Images

    Everyone was looking forward to a super Sunday of Premier League action, the problem was that the Manchester City versus Arsenal game was more soporific than super.

    If you had a big Easter Sunday breakfast or lunch beforehand then staying awake might have been a problem. Ask yourself this: did you have a sneaky little scroll through social media at any point during play?

    Arsenal defended brilliantly with a very rare clean sheet at the Etihad to show for it. William Saliba, in particular, is a real asset in defence, and I mean 'asset' in a very Jason Bourne sense of the word. You would not want to meet him on a dark night when he was in a bad mood.

    Sadly, the more creative players were not willing to take enough risks with their passes in the final third and so the Arsenal defence always had time to get set. It was good to watch technically, but it was hardly a blockbuster.

    It is understandable, however. If you lose possession at this level you will not get it back for a while. More importantly, one error here and you could go down in history as the player who lost the title.

  17. 'Was a draw at Man City enough for Arsenal in the title race?'published at 18:39 British Summer Time 3 April

    Arsenal v Luton Town (19:30 BST)

    Rory Smith
    Chief Soccer Correspondent for The New York Times, on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Arteta claps the travelling fansImage source, Getty Images

    Man City v Arsenal is what big football matches should look like. It is a really impressive result and it was an incredibly disciplined and well-drilled performance from Arsenal.

    We have got used to presuming they cannot do that in recent years, but Mikel Arteta has clearly solved that.

    They shut Man City down completely and that is because Gabriel and William Saliba are the best defensive partnership in the league. It was really encouraging and it showcases all of the work Arteta has done with the team, but is it enough in the title race?

    It is not illegitimate to question whether it was the right result.

  18. 'Liverpool are in the box seat'published at 18:38 British Summer Time 3 April

    Pat Nevin
    Former Chelsea and Scotland winger

    Liverpool suddenly must feel that winning the Premier League is possible - maybe even likely - once again.

    Their higher-tempo style is often more entertaining than Arsenal or Manchester City, as well as being far more chaotic, particularly up front.

    This is by design. Jurgen Klopp has always enjoyed adding unpredictability to the mix - that is why you acquire Darwin Nunez instead of a more conventional striker.

    Luis Diaz and Mo Salah are just as unpredictable in their own ways and, because they create with such freedom and imagination, they must be mind-bogglingly difficult to play against.

    Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo and Wataru Endo look like classically trained players compared with those maverick punks, but that contrast with accepted current style gives them that extra little edge.

    There are a few slips and trips to come, but Liverpool are absolutely in the box seat.

  19. 'Title race going down to the wire'published at 18:36 British Summer Time 3 April

    Man City v Aston Villa (20:15 BST)

    Paul Dickov
    Former Manchester City striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

    PL trophy with Man City blue ribbonsImage source, Getty Images

    The Arsenal game was very cagey and it was not the best game to watch for the fans. But you have to give Arsenal credit for that because they came with a plan. You would have expected them to come at Manchester City but they did not. They sat in. They formed a really deep block and made it difficult for City to get into spaces to create chances.

    From both teams' point of view they will be slightly disappointed at the lack of chances they created.

    Arsenal will be the happier team but Liverpool were the winners of the day. Jurgen Klopp's side now sit two points clear of the Gunners at the top of the Premier League and three ahead of City.

    All three teams are capable of going on unbeaten runs until the end of the season. They have all got tough games left, so I can see it going down to the wire.

  20. Postpublished at 18:35 British Summer Time 3 April

    Sunday of course saw a huge game at the top of the table between Manchester City and Arsenal, with both sides having to settle for a share of the spoils.

    The Gunners will likely have been happier than City with the result but it means it remains all very much to play for at the top and increases the chances of this battle going right down to the final few games.