Arsenal edged closer to a top-four finish in the Premier League with a 1-0 victory at home to relegation-battling Norwich City on Saturday.

Amid pre-planned protests from home fans, the Gunners battled to victory over Norwich, who dropped to 19th in the table after Newcastle and Sunderland both picked up points earlier in the day.

Arsenal had more of the game before the break, but their visitors had the better chances, with Petr Cech having to make saves from Nathan Redmond at the beginning and end of the half.

The hosts finally broke through just before the hour mark when Olivier Giroud headed the ball back for Danny Welbeck to fire home.

With two games remaining, Arsenal are now eight points clear of fifth-placed West Ham, who have three games left, and sixth-placed Manchester United, who have four.

Norwich, meanwhile, are a point behind Sunderland and two behind Newcastle and safety, although Rafa Benitez's men have played an extra game.

Newcastle moved out of the relegation zone for the first time since February thanks to a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace at St James' Park.

Andros Townsend opened the scoring for the hosts in the 58th minute when the winger curled in a brilliant free kick beyond goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.

Karl Darlow was then the Magpies' hero when he saved Yohan Cabaye's penalty after Moussa Sissoko was penalised for a handball in the box.

Sunderland salvaged a point at Stoke City thanks to Jermain Defoe's late penalty, but the 1-1 draw was not enough to see them avoid slipping into the bottom three.

Stoke broke the deadlock in the 50th minute when Marko Arnautovic reacted to Peter Crouch's knock-down before striking home.

With seconds remaining, Geoff Cameron felled Defoe in the penalty area before the striker dusted himself down to score a dramatic leveller.

West Ham United climbed above Manchester United on goal difference into fifth after a 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.

Cheikhou Kouyate made it 1-0 to West Ham in the 34th minute, heading in from close range via Dimitri Payet's set piece.

The Hammers doubled their lead before the break through Mark Noble, who rounded off a tidy passing move by poking home.

Noble grabbed his second of the game in the second half, executing a powerful finish following Andy Carroll's cross.

Everton secured their first win in eight league matches to relieve some of the pressure on manager Roberto Martinez as they beat Bournemouth 2-1 at Goodison Park.

With Tim Howard returning in goal before his move to MLS, Everton broke the deadlock in the seventh minute when Ross Barkley found Tom Cleverley, who fired into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

But Bournemouth responded swiftly as Marc Pugh converted from close range just two minutes later after receiving the ball from Callum Wilson's cut-back.

Leighton Baines made it 2-1 to Everton on 64 minutes as he met Aaron Lennon's low cross.

Aston Villa crumbled late on against Watford as Troy Deeney scored a brace to inflict a 3-2 defeat on the already-relegated club.

Villa took the lead on 28 minutes when Ciaran Clark headed past goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes from Ashley Westwood's corner.

Watford levelled just before half-time when Almen Abdi curled home a superb free kick from 25 yards out, but Villa restored their lead three minutes into the second half when Jordan Ayew thumped a shot home after playing a one-two with Rudy Gestede.

Villa were reduced to 10 men with 18 minutes left on the clock when Aly Cissokho received a straight red for a foul on Anya.

And Watford made their numerical advantage pay as Deeney struck a late brace as Villa lost for an 11th match in a row.

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by ESPN staff

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