Arsenal’s slim title hopes hit by defeat

LONDON (AP) ― Arsenal’s hopes of a late challenge for the English Premier League title took what could be a decisive blow on Sunday with a 3-2 defeat at newcomer Swansea.

Robin van Persie put the Gunners ahead early with his 18th goal of the season but Swansea outplayed and outpassed what has long been one of England’s most attractive teams.

Scott Sinclair struck a 16th-minute penalty before Nathan Dyer made it 2-1 to the Swans 12 minutes after halftime. Theo Walcott equalized in the 69th but Arsenal conceded less than a minute later when Danny Graham took advantage of some slack defending to hit the winner.

Arsenal’s sixth defeat from 11 away matches allowed sixth-place Newcastle to draw level on 36 points with a 1-0 win over Queens Park Rangers. Arsenal is four points behind fourth-place Chelsea in the final Champions League berth.

Swansea’s commitment to attacking, passing football instead of the safety-first approach of many Premier League newcomers has now lifted it to 10th place, 10 points behind the Gunners but nine clear of the relegation zone.

“It’s something we all inherently believe in and we’ve had success with it,” Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers said. “The players show great courage to pass the ball. Sometimes we make mistakes but I’ve got a great belief they can play and pass, even against the best teams.”

In its first topflight season since 1982-83, Swansea played about 100 more passes than Arsenal.

Arsenal looked on course for a comfortable win when Andrey Arshavin slipped a pass forward from the inside right channel for Van Persie to collect. The Netherlands striker delayed his shot to tuck the ball between defender Steven Caulker’s legs and over goalkeeper Michel Vorm from close range.

Spain

Barcelona let slip an early 2-0 lead before struggling past 10-man Real Betis 4-2 in the Spanish league on Sunday after Lionel Messi scored his 32nd and 33rd goals of the season.

Three days before the Copa del Rey clash against Real Madrid, Pep Guardiola’s team appeared set to cruise to another home victory after Xavi Hernandez and Messi gave the hosts a two-goal lead after just 12 minutes.

But Ruben Castro scored the first goal by a visitor at Camp Nou stadium in the league this season, and strike partner Roque Santa Cruz made it 2-2 in the 52nd.

Barcelona wasn’t able to regain control until Mario Alvarez left Betis a man down with his second booking in the 70th. Having set up two goals, Alexis Sanchez then scored the winner before Messi added a late penalty.

The Catalan giant’s ninth win in 10 home games still leaves it five points behind leader Madrid in the league standings.

Italy

Inter Milan denied AC Milan a chance to take top spot in Serie A by winning 1-0 in the city derby on Sunday from Diego Milito’s second-half goal.

After Juventus’ 1-1 draw with Cagliari, Milan had the chance to lead by two points in the standings but Milito struck in the 54th minute in front of a sellout crowd at the Stadio San Siro to dash those hopes.

Milan enjoyed several good opportunities in a vibrant first half, including Mark Van Bommel striking the crossbar in stoppage time, but Inter defended deeply after taking the lead to prevent the defending champions from winning a fourth derby in a row.

France

Marseille made up ground in the race for a Champions League spot by beating defending French champion Lille 2-0 on Sunday from two goals by Loic Remy.

The France forward outjumped Laurent Bonnart to head in a cross from Mathieu Valbuena in the 61st minute. Remy then dribbled past goalkeeper Mickael Landreau and defender Aurelien Chedjou to slot the ball into an empty net in the 83rd. Marseille remained sixth but narrowed the gap to two points with third-place Lille in the last spot for the Champions League.