Premier League Round-Up: Arsenal overcome Man Utd to reclaim fourth place

“[Fourth] spot is now Arsenal’s to lose. The Gunners are 1.68/13 in the Top 4 Finish market.”

In a showdown between contenders for fourth place at the Emirates on Saturday, Arsenal continued to banish the memory of a recent three-game losing streak by carrying the momentum of their midweek victory over Chelsea into a 3-1 win over Manchester United.

Ralf Rangnick decided to drop Harry Maguire for the game in light of the England centre-half’s error-ridden form, but defensive mistakes continued to plague United in their captain’s absence.

Both Raphael Varane and Brazilian full-back Alex Telles connected with more air than ball in their swiping efforts to clear a third-minute cross. Seconds later, Nuno Tavares ghosted away from a ball-watching Diogo Dalot to put Arsenal up 1-0.

The Gunners doubled their lead half an hour later thanks to a VAR-awarded penalty confidently dispatched by Bukayo Saka. But United moved quickly to reduce the arrears when, just two minutes later, Nemanja Matic crossed for Cristiano Ronaldo to side-foot home his 100th Premier League goal.

And the away side should have taken the lead in the 57th minute. Tavares was guilty of a handball in the box, but Bruno Fernandes could only locate the foot of the post from the resultant spot kick.

Granit Xhaka put the result beyond doubt with 20 minutes to play when he rifled a 25-yard effort past David de Gea, the Swiss midfielder’s first goal of the season.

This defeat, coupled with a 4-0 midweek humiliation at the hands of Liverpool, leaves United sixth in the table, six points behind Arsenal despite having played a game more. The Red Devils have won just two of their last eight Premier League matches.

“After today’s result, top four is gone,” admitted Rangnick, who’s side are now 120119/1 on the Betfair Exchange in the Top 4 Finish market.

In Saturday’s evening fixtures, Tottenham were held to a goalless draw away to Brentford, with Antonio Conte’s side unable to muster even a single shot on target.

They now sit fifth, two points behind their north-London rivals and are available to back at 2.526/4 on the Exchange to climb back into fourth by season’s end.

That spot, however, is now Arsenal’s to lose. The Gunners are 1.68/13 in the Top 4 Finish market.

Sweet Jesus

With lowly Watford the visitors to the Etihad on Saturday afternoon, reigning champions Manchester City were always likely to finish the weekend clinging tightly to their narrow advantage in the title race.

And Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus made sure of that by notching four goals in City’s 5-1 rout of the Hornets.

Perhaps in reaction to reports earlier in the week that City have agreed personal terms on a summer move for Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland, Jesus showed a true poacher’s instinct as he thrashed home three close-range finishes and a penalty, while also providing the assist for Rodri’s stunning 25-yarder.

City remain a point clear at the top with five games to play. They can be backed at 1.4740/85 on the Exchange to retain their Premier League crown.

Demolition derby

Liverpool kept up the pressure on City by beating Merseyside rivals Everton 2-0 at Anfield on Sunday.

Frank Lampard’s relegation-threatened Toffees aimed to frustrate their title-chasing hosts and did so for long periods. But full-back Andrew Robertson broke the deadlock on 62 minutes and Divock Origi scored late on to complete the scoring.

The Reds remain one point behind top-placed City and are 3.052/1 on the Exchange in the Premier League Winner market.

Everton’s attempts to sit back and stifle Liverpool were ultimately futile. They forced Alisson into just one – very routine – save all game and finished with a miserly 17 per cent share of possession.

Burnley’s win over Wolves earlier on Sunday meant the Toffees needed an unlikely victory at Anfield to finish the weekend outside the relegation zone. Instead, they now sit 18th, two points from safety – albeit with one game in hand over the Clarets. Everton can be backed at 2.26/5 to go down.