(Manchester United News)
Manchester United’s hopes of gaining a top four spot were given a boost by the weekend’s Barclays Premier League results.
Southampton notably dropped two points in the race for Champions League places by drawing 1-1 at Chelsea on Sunday. Jose Mourinho’s side, who moved one point rather than three points further ahead of Manchester City at the top, took an early lead through Diego Costa, but Dusan Tasic equalised from the spot shortly afterwards. Saints goalkeeper Fraser Forster then made fine saves from Oscar, Eden Hazard and Loic Remy to keep Ronald Koeman’s men in the game.
Saturday's surprise result had Burnley beating Manchester City 1-0 to damage Manuel Pellegrini’s hopes of retaining the title. George Boyd scored the crucial goal, as the Blues struggled in front of goal. “I don’t think we created the amount of chances we need to score goals,” said Pellegrini.
City's defeat gave United a chance to go just two points behind them by defeating Tottenham and the result also boosted Sean Dyche’s side’s hopes of staying up. The Clarets moved up a position to 18th, just a point behind Sunderland. “It builds confidence and reinforces all the good work we are doing here,” said Dyche.
Third-placed Arsenal beat West Ham United 3-0 at the Emirates to move to within a point of City. It was the Gunners' seven win in their last eight league matches, with Olivier Giroud, Aaron Ramsey and Mathieu Flamini getting the goals.
“It was an important and convincing win,” said Arsene Wenger afterwards. “Today we are a different team.” West Ham, now 10th, have just one victory in 12 league games.
At the bottom of the table, Leicester City drew 0-0 at home to Hull City to stay deep in trouble. Crystal Palace beat Queen’s Park Rangers 3-1 at home, to keep their opponents down in 19th spot.
Aston Villa meanwhile stunned Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, winning 4-0. Tim Sherwood’s second straight league win bounces Villa up to 16th place with 28 points, three clear of the drop. Gabriel Agbonlahor and Christian Benteke scored twice each to give Villa their first away victory of 2015 while the Black Cats, dropping to 17th position, were booed off. “We're delighted to get four goals in one game and delighted for our two strikers who have come in for a little bit of criticism this year,” said Sherwood.
West Brom, meanwhile, beat Stoke 1-0 at The Hawthorns. The Baggies stay in 13th spot and the Potters remain eighth in the league.
