London, April 18

Yannick Bolasie put a dent in Arsenal’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League with an equaliser for Crystal Palace nine minutes from time in a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Arsene Wenger’s side appeared on course for victory following Alexis Sanchez’s headed goal in first-half stoppage-time. But Palace, second best throughout in this all-London Premier League clash, hung on in and were rewarded when Bolasie’s edge-of-the-box shot beat Petr Cech, who should have saved it, at Arsenal goalkeeper’s near post in the 81st minute.

The result effectively ended the Gunners’ already slim title hopes, with Arsene Wenger’s side now 13 points behind leaders Leicester City, with only a maximum of 15 on offer from their final five league games. More significantly it meant Arsenal, bidding to play in the Champions League for a 19th consecutive season, failed to regain third place from Manchester City and were left just four points in front of fifth-placed Manchester United, with only the top four at the end of the season guaranteed a place among Europe’s elite.

Arsenal, jeered off the field by their own fans, were the only team that had something meaningful to play for, with Palace all but safe and more focused on their looming FA Cup semi-final against Watford. That it took until the 24th minute for a meaningful attempt was down to a Palace side content to sit back and soak up pressure.

Palace like to defend deep and hit teams on the break and Bolasie did just that but his low drive was smothered by the returning Cech. For all Arsenal’s dominance, Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey didn’t have to make a save for much of the first half.