Arsenal are on the brink of a first Premier League title in 22 years after surviving a hugely contentious finale to beat West Ham 1-0, while Aston Villa were held 2-2 at Burnley on Sunday.
Leandro Trossard’s 83rd minute goal re-established the Gunners’ five-point lead over Manchester City.
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But West Ham had an equaliser deep into stoppage time ruled out after a VAR review for a foul on goalkeeper David Raya before Callum Wilson fired home.
“They showed a lot of courage and bravery to stand out and give the opportunity to the referee to have a look at the action,” said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
“When you see the picture, there is no question that it is a clear foul. They were very brave. The action deserved that.” Arsenal also did north London rivals Tottenham a favour in the battle to beat the drop as they can move four points clear of West Ham with victory over Leeds on Monday.
West Ham’s defeat means Crystal Palace, Leeds and Nottingham Forest are all now mathematically safe.
Victories over already-relegated Burnley and Palace, just days before the latter play in the Conference League final, will end Arsenal’s long wait to be champions of England.
Fresh from sealing their place in the Champions League final with victory over Atletico Madrid in midweek, Arteta’s men burst out of the blocks.
Mads Hermansen made a brilliant save to deny Trossard from a corner before the Belgian’s follow-up header came back off the crossbar.
But the nerves that have accompanied Arsenal’s quest to finally get over the line, after finishing second for the past three years, took hold after half-time.
Raya had to make a huge save to deny Mateus Fernandes giving West Ham the lead with little over 10 minutes to play.
Moments later the deadlock was broken at the other end.
Trossard had not scored since December, but ended a 25-game drought with a powerful low drive after patient play by Martin Odegaard teed him up.
Arteta wheeled away in delight, while Odegaard sank to his knees in celebration. But there was another huge moment to come as Raya flapped at a corner under pressure from Pablo and Wilson drilled in the rebound.
After a lengthy VAR review, the referee deemed the Portuguese forward had impeded the Arsenal goalkeeper.
“This is an earthquake, a tremor of a moment,” Manchester United great Gary Neville said on commentary for Sky Sports at the London Stadium.
“It is probably the biggest moment in VAR history in the Premier League. This is massive,” he added.
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane agreed with the decision.
“The one thing you say when you go up, VAR are going to check everything, do not put your hands on the goalkeeper! Certainly don’t leave it on for three or four seconds,” Keane said.
“There is all sorts going on but because the goalkeeper had such a big part to play, I think it is a foul. It was really silly from West Ham. Don’t make it such an obvious foul because they are going to check.”
While former Arsenal and West Ham striker Ian Wright said it was “without doubt” the correct decision.
“I think David Raya catches that simply if he’s not impeded,” Wright said. “You can see it there, pulling him there, and then the arm comes across.”
The 18th-placed Hammers felt hard done by post-game, however.
“Due to the circumstances and the way it finished, we are all upset,” West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo told Sky Sports.
“Look, there is a referee and VAR, there is circumstances in the past that have been judged different. Let’s not go further than that.
“Due to the recent seasons, it has been happening [similar incidents]. Even the referees don’t know what is a foul and what is not a foul, it creates doubt.
“Let’s look at the game overall. We made a very good match. Arsenal is a tough team. We lost the game.”
West Ham captain Jarred Bowen was also frustrated with the inconsistency.
“Goalkeepers are protected more than outfield players and there is a lot of holding inside the box. Are you going to look at those every time and give a penalty? That is the only way that is the right way to do it,” Bowen said.
“You can’t wipe a goalkeeper out but the keeper has come in to grab the ball and has to expect contact. It’s the Premier League; there is going to be contact.
“I just think if you look at something long enough, you will find something to give.
“I can guarantee that pundits and people watching know football is a physical game. If you’re going to give it, give it every week. Where is the line and where is the bar?”
If City fail to beat Palace at home on Wednesday, Arsenal could seal the title on home soil against Burnley on May 18.
– Palace, Forest safe –
Villa left the battle for a place in the top five open after failing to beat Burnley.
Unai Emery’s men booked their place in the Europa League final on Thursday with a 4-0 demolition of Nottingham Forest, but suffered a European hangover at Turf Moor.
Villa extend their lead over sixth-placed Bournemouth to four points and move six ahead of Brighton in the battle for Champions League qualification.
However, they face a tough end to the campaign with matches against Liverpool and Manchester City either side of the final against Freiburg in Istanbul.
Jaidon Anthony punished a slow Villa start to put Burnley in front after Emi Martinez spilled Lesley Ugochukwu’s shot.
Ross Barkley headed the visitors level from a corner before half-time. Ollie Watkins then pounced on a long punt forward by Martinez to put Villa in front and headed up to fourth in the table.
Burnley, though, hit back to avoid a sixth consecutive defeat. Zian Flemming fired home from Hannibal Mejbri’s inventive flick to keep the fight for the top five alive.
Everton’s bid for a place in Europe next season suffered from again failing to hold onto a lead in a 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace.
The Toffees twice led at Selhurst Park through James Tarkowski and Beto’s brilliant individual goal.
Ismaila Sarr’s 20th goal of the season in all competitions and Jean-Philippe Mateta levelled for the Eagles, who are now mathematically safe..
Elliott Anderson struck late against his former club Newcastle to secure a 1-1 draw and also guarantee survival for Forest.
Harvey Barnes had put the visitors in front, but England international Anderson salvaged a point.
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