LONDON – Arsenal reestablished a five-point lead at the top of the English Premier League as the Gunners overcame 10-man Chelsea 2-1, while Benjamin Sesko fired Manchester United up to third with victory over Crystal Palace.
Defenders William Saliba and Jurrien Timber got Arsenal’s goals as Chelsea’s ill-discipline saw them lose ground in the battle for a place in next season’s Champions League after Pedro Neto was sent off 20 minutes from time.
The Blues could not cope with Arsenal’s prowess from corners as Mikel Arteta’s men edged closer to a first league title in 22 years.
Saliba forced home the opening goal on 21 minutes after Gabriel Magalhaes headed Eberechi Eze’s delivery back across goal, AFP reported.
Chelsea levelled from a corner of their own when Pedro Hincapie turned Reece James’ cross into his own net.
Timber’s winner just after the hour mark was the 16th goal Arsenal have scored from a corner in the Premier League this season – equalling the competition record.
The Dutch international headed into an empty net after Robert Sanchez got caught underneath Declan Rice’s ball in.
Neto then became the ninth Chelsea player to see red this season for two quickfire bookings.
Chelsea had a late equaliser ruled out for offside but defeat leaves Liam Rosenior’s men three points outside the top five, who will almost certainly secure a place in next season’s Champions League.
Second-placed Manchester City still have a game in hand on Arsenal and home advantage when the sides meet in the league next month.
Sesko was handed his first start in seven games since Michael Carrick took charge at Old Trafford and rewarded his boss with another vital goal to edge United closer to a return to the Champions League with a 2-1 win.
Palace had taken an early lead at Old Trafford when Maxence Lacroix outmuscled Leny Yoro to guide in a header from Brennan Johnson’s corner.
But United hit back to remain unbeaten under Carrick and take their tally to 19 points from a possible 21.
The game swung on one incident as Lacroix was sent off and conceded a penalty for pulling back Matheus Cunha just before the hour mark.
Bruno Fernandes confidently stroked the resulting spot-kick past former teammate Dean Henderson.
Fernandes was then the creator for the second as his curling cross was powered in by Sesko for his seventh goal in his last eight appearances.
“It feels like a big result,” said Fernandes. “We were behind and had to show some character.”
