Everton continued to feed their hopes of Premier League survival by shocking Chelsea 1-0 on Sunday, as Arsenal maintained a two-point lead over Tottenham in the battle for next season’s Champions League. Arsenal won 2-1 at West Ham to move ahead of Spurs, who had previously beaten Leicester 3-1 thanks to a Son Heung-min brace. Everton’s bold win at Goodison Park means Frank LampardTheir side are only two points away from safety and have a game in hand against Leeds and Burnley.
The only goal came just a minute into the second half as Richarlison pressed on Cesar Azpilicueta lost control and the Brazilian striker coldly finished from Demarai Greyovercome.
Mason Mount’s shot hit both posts as Chelsea searched for a pre-match reaction Jordan Pickford sprint across his path to thwart Azpilicueta’s tracking attempt.
The England goalkeeper also denied it Antonio Rudiger in space and knock out Matteo Kovacic in seven nervous stoppage time.
Former Chelsea manager Lampard, who took over from the not-so-famous Rafael Benitez in late January, struggled to revive the fortunes of the Merseyside giants, who last played outside the top flight during the 1953/54 season.
But he is happy with the passion shown by his players and supporters.
“The fans are in the middle of this,” he told Sky Sports. “I’m pleased the players can see how much that means to the fans.
“They knew it and understood it. They were behind us, very aggressive – this must be a difficult place to get to.”
The defeat leaves the third-placed team, Chelsea, still much work to do to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
The Blues’ lead over Tottenham is down to just five points, but Thomas Tuchel’s men have a comfortable journey on paper.
Arsenal take advantage of the corners
Arsenal’s centre-backs have done their job to keep the Gunners strong to end a five-year absence from the Champions League.
Rob Holding headed in Bukayo SakaThe corner put the visitors ahead at London Stadium.
West Ham had a match in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final against Eintracht Frankfurt in midweek, but David Moyes identified a strong side and was rewarded with an equalizer before half-time by Jarrod Bowen.
The Hammers’ prowess from synergies has been one of the successes of their season.
But they were undone in the back from a different angle like this time Gabriel Magalhaes spins in Gabriel Martinelli’s cross.
Tottenham have made the most of Leicester’s naming of a changing team ahead of the Europa Conference League second leg against Roma.
Harry Kane Son’s header from a corner kick midway through the first half and Son doubled the lead minutes after his substitute Dejan Kulusevski’s cross.
Son scored a third in the 79th minute to close the game, delivering an unstoppable effort into the top corner for his 19th Premier League goal of the season before a belated consolation for Kelechi Iheanacho.
“No one could have imagined when I arrived in November we could still be in this race, but these players deserve to fight for such an important place,” Conte told the BBC.
“It’s not easy to qualify for the Champions League in England.”
Promote
The battle for fourth place could come after the north London derby between Tottenham and Arsenal on May 12.
But Mikel ArtetaTheir men will be hoping to extend their lead to five points next weekend when they host relegation-threatened Leeds, while Spurs face a tough trip to Liverpool.
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