Arsenal overpower Chelsea using set pieces, Manchester United secure third spot
Arsenal restored their five point advantage at the summit of the Premier League after defeating ten man Chelsea 2 1 on Sunday, while Benjamin Sesko netted for Manchester United to propel them into third with a triumph against Crystal Palace.
Arsenal's backline players William Saliba and Jurrien Timber scored the goals, as Chelsea's poor discipline cost them dearly in their pursuit of a Champions League spot next season following Pedro Neto's dismissal with 20 minutes remaining.
Chelsea struggled against Arsenal's effectiveness from corners, allowing Mikel Arteta's squad to inch nearer to ending a 22 year wait for the league crown.
Saliba bundled in the first goal on 21 minutes after Gabriel Magalhaes nodded Eberechi Eze's delivery back into the danger area.
Chelsea responded with an equaliser from their own corner routine, as Pedro Hincapie diverted Reece James' delivery into his own goal.
Timber's decisive strike shortly after the hour was the 16th such goal from corners for Arsenal this term, matching the Premier League record.
The Dutch defender nodded into an unguarded net after Robert Sanchez was left stranded under Declan Rice's inswinging ball.
Neto followed suit as the ninth Chelsea player to be red carded this season, picking up two swift yellows.
A late Chelsea leveller was disallowed for offside, but the loss positions Liam Rosenior's team three points adrift of the top five, who are likely to claim Champions League qualification.
Runners up Manchester City hold a match in reserve over Arsenal and host them at home in the league next month.
Sesko repays Carrick's trust
Sesko earned his initial start in seven matches under Michael Carrick's management at Old Trafford and repaid the faith with a crucial strike that brought United within touching distance of Champions League football via a 2 1 victory.
Palace struck first early on at Old Trafford, with Maxence Lacroix overpowering Leny Yoro to head in from Brennan Johnson's corner.
United responded strongly to stay unbeaten under Carrick, accumulating 19 points from a maximum 21 available.
The match turned decisively when Lacroix received his marching orders and gave away a penalty for hauling down Matheus Cunha just shy of the hour.
Bruno Fernandes calmly converted the penalty past his ex colleague Dean Henderson.
Fernandes then provided the assist for the winner, curling in a cross that Sesko headed powerfully home for his seventh in eight outings.
"This feels like a significant victory," Fernandes stated. "We trailed and needed to display resilience."
Tottenham's Tudor struggles persist
Tottenham linger dangerously just four points clear of relegation under temporary manager Igor Tudor, who could not stem their decline with another 2 1 loss to Fulham.
"We performed poorly and lacked quality in both attack and defence," Tudor admitted after back to back defeats in his tenure.
"Issues abound here, serious ones. We must remain composed, trust our training methods, and escape this predicament united."
Harry Wilson and Alex Iwobi put Fulham ahead deservedly by half time, lifting them to ninth and reigniting hopes of European action next term.
Richarlison nodded a late reply for Tottenham, yet they endure as the sole Premier League team winless in 2026.
Spurs drew slight relief from Nottingham Forest's 2 1 setback at Brighton.
The trio of goals came within the opening 15 minutes, Diego Gomez and Danny Welbeck scoring for the hosts around Morgan Gibbs White's response.
Forest hold a two point buffer over the bottom three before facing a tough away fixture at Manchester City on Wednesday.