(Football news) Arsenal consolidated their 4th spot in the Premier League table with a 2-1 win over Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium, thereby extending their advantage against 5th place Tottenham to four points. The Gunners had a perfect start with Eddie Nketiah scoring twice inside the first 10 minutes (5th and 10th minute) as Leeds struggled to get a foothold in the game and made matters worse for themselves when Luke Ayling received a red card for a two-footed lunge on Gabriel Martinelli.

Leeds managed to pull a goal back after the break from Diego Llorente, resulting in a tense finish at the Emirates Stadium. The result means that only a point separates 4th place Arsenal from 3rd place Chelsea, who drew 2-2 against Wolves at Stamford Bridge. As for Leeds, they are currently 18th and in the relegation zone with three games remaining, and face difficult tests ahead with Chelsea, Brighton and Brentford on the horizon.

Speaking after the match, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said “We are finding ways to win football matches. The way we played today, especially the first 30 minutes, was brilliant. So under pressure to play the way we have done in front of our people is a credit to them, but obviously, we have an opponent and the context changes throughout the game and you don't expect to be all the time for 95 minutes on top of the game and we are dealing with that and getting better at it because at the end, we are winning football matches." 

At the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City secured a dominant 5-0 win over Newcastle United, extending their advantage over 2nd place Liverpool to three points. First half goals from Raheem Sterling and Aymeric Laporte ensured that the reigning champions got off to a solid start while Rodri scored his team’s third goal at the hour mark followed by Phil Foden and Sterling finding the net before the final whistle. The three point gap over Liverpool gives City some breathing space as they take on Wolves, West Ham and Aston Villa before the end of the season. 

Speaking after the match, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said “Just before the start of the game, I felt the crowd were disappointed but not grumpy and upset about who we are as a team. Three more points and three left, one competition to play. Our destiny is in our hands, win our games and we will be there. We have just three defenders for these three games, but we will try to do it. Otherwise I will have to play CJ [Egan-Riley] or Luke Mbete, but in this situation, it is not a problem. If Rodri has to play [at centre-back he will]. We have the academy. We have 13 players plus academy. It is what it is." 

Also read: Brighton thrash Manchester United while Liverpool held by Spurs