Story highlights
Arsenal lose ground in Champions League race after Monday's 2-1 defeat at Fulham
Two goals in last five minutes gives Fulham win after Arsenal went down to 10 men
Chelsea relieve the pressure on manager Andre Villas-Boas with a 2-1 win at Wolves
Aston Villa and Blackburn fail to capitalize on Saturday's surprise victories
Two goals in the last five minutes gave Fulham a 2-1 Premier League home win over Arsenal on Monday to continue the recent run of shock results in England’s top division.
Arsenal needed a win to move within six points of joint leaders Manchester City and Manchester United at the top of the table.
And Arsene Wenger’s side looked on course to achieve the three points when Laurent Koscielny was left unmarked to head home his first goal of the season in the 21st minute.
Out with the old and in with the new in 2012
London rivals Fulham had more of the possession after the break but the Arsenal defense held firm until Johan Djourou was sent off with 12 minutes remaining after collecting two yellow cards.
From then, Fulham dominated and they leveled five minutes from time when midfielder Steve Sidwell nodded home from close range.
And the turnaround was completed in injury time when striker Bobby Zamora smashed home a low left-foot volley after the Gunners failed to clear their lines.
The result saw Arsenal drop from fourth to fifth place in the table, nine points off the top two having played a game more ahead of Tuesday’s fixtures – when City host Liverpool and third-placed Tottenham take on West Bromwich Albion.
In Monday’s other matches, Chelsea eased the pressure on under-fire manager Andre Villas-Boas and claimed fourth place with a late 2-1 victory at Wolverhampton.
Chelsea had gone four league matches without a win, but the London side went ahead nine minutes into the second half when Brazil midfielder Ramires fired home from Juan Mata’s corner.
Wolves looked to have salvaged a point with just six minutes remaining when Stephen Ward drove home a low shot.
But the visitors claimed a vital victory in the 89th minute when veteran midfielder Frank Lampard converted England fullback Ashley Cole’s cross from close range.
Aston Villa beat Chelsea 3-1 on Saturday, but failed to make it back-to-back wins after a shock 2-0 home defeat by Premier League newcomers Swansea.
The visitors took a fourth-minute lead through midfielder Nathan Dyer, and former Villa player Wayne Routledge sealed Swansea’s first away victory early in the second half after striker Danny Graham’s shot struck the post.
Blackburn also failed to capitalize on a good win on Saturday, slumping to a 2-1 home defeat by Stoke just 48 hours after stunning Manchester United 3-2 at Old Trafford.
Peter Crouch opened the scoring for Stoke from close range, and the England striker doubled his tally on the stroke of halftime.
Scotland forward David Goodwillie pulled a goal back for the home side in the 69th minute, but the defeat left Blackburn second from bottom.
Queens Park Rangers are now just one place above the relegation zone after losing 2-1 at home to Norwich.
Captain Joey Barton drilled home Clint Hill’s cross to give QPR an 11th-minute lead but the midfielder was then dismissed in the 36th minute after clashing with Bradley Johnson.
Barton’s dismissal changed the game, and Norwich took advantage with goals from Anthony Pilkington and substitute striker Steve Morison.
