(Football news) Arsenal defeated Watford 3-2 at Vicarage Road to finally progress into the top four of the Premier League. Martin Odegaard opened the scoring for the Gunners as his low finish past Ben Foster in the 5th minute gave the visitors an advantage. However, Watford responded appropriately as Cucho Hernandez’s brilliant overhead kick from Kiko Femenia's right-wing cross levelled the score in the 11th minute. 

Mikel Arteta’s team grew into the game and controlled proceedings with Saka winning possession high up the pitch and passing it to Alexandre Lacazette who backheeled it to Saka and the England international scored in the 30th minute. Arsenal extended their lead shortly after half-time with Gabriel Martinelli scoring from outside the box in a move involving Cedric Soares, Odegaard and Lacazette (52) while manager Mikel Arteta also being involved in the move by retrieving the ball quickly during a throw-in. 

Watford continued to knock on Arsenal’s door and were soon rewarded when Moussa Sissoko pulled a goal back in the 87th minute to set up a nervy end to the match. The Gunners held on to their slender one goal advantage despite five minutes being added for stoppages to claim their eighth victory in the Premier League in the last 10 games. The result means that Arsenal have leapfrogged Manchester United to claim the fourth spot with 48 points from 25 games.

Speaking after the match, Mikel Arteta said “I saw an advantage and I took it; we have to be alive and that is the way I live the game. I try to instil that in the team as well.” On moving into the top four, he added: "It is very pleasing. We know how difficult it is to be in this position in this league. We've earned it; we have come a long way as a team. We had great attacking moments, but I wasn't pleased with our organisation. We didn't dominate and play the way we wanted. Credit to Watford, but a lot of it was down to us; we should have done better and there is a lot to improve." 

Meanwhile at the Etihad Stadium, reigning champions and league leaders Manchester City defeated arch rivals Manchester United 4-1 and extended their lead to six points in the Premier League table. Two goals each from Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez secured a win for Pep Guardiola’s team whereas Jadon Sancho scored for Manchester United. It was the 187th Manchester derby and De Bruyne opened the scoring in the fifth minute with his 50th Premier League goal. Jadon Sancho managed to pull a goal back for United midway through the second half but the joy was short lived as City extended their lead through De Bruyne yet again in the 28th minute.

To make matters worse for Ralf Rangnick’s team, Riyad Mahrez scored City’s third by volleying the ball from a corner routine straight from the training ground in the 68th minute and then scored his second goal at the 90th minute mark to seal a dominant victory over their rivals. This was Ralf Rangnick’s second defeat as interim manager at Manchester United and the Red Devils look unlikely to secure Champions League qualification for next season, especially considering that Arsenal is one point ahead and has three games in hand. 

Speaking after the match, Man Utd interim manager Ralf Rangnick said "We played a good, if not decent first half. We were competitive. Difficult to concede an early goal. We came back, scored a brilliant goal ourselves then conceded another on the counter. It was a very difficult game against one of the best teams in the world. We conceded a fourth in the last minute of the game. It is a difficult game that shows we have a long way to go to close that gap.

In the second half it [showed the gap between the two sides] but the first half was a competitive game. Everyone knows how good they are. They are one of the top teams in the world and there is a gap between the two teams. We are fully aware we need to win games. This is one of the most difficult. It is accepting that they were the better team today. But we look ahead to the next games, and we need to win the next two home games – they are essential to us."

Also read: Chelsea and Liverpool secure three points in the Premier League