EPL: Arsenal, Manchester United keep up chase of Chelsea at top

London - Arsenal beat Liverpool 4-1 for almost four points adrift of Premier League Chelsea and Manchester United also kept their slim title hopes by beating Aston Villa on Saturday.

With Chelsea in subsequent operations against Stoke, Arsenal apply a little pressure on Jose Mourinho's team to ride before the break Liverpool at the Emirates Hector Bellerin, Mesut Özil and Alexis Sanchez, all in white.

Olivier Giroud curler sealed the victory in the final minute after a penalty Jordan Henderson briefly raised hopes of Liverpool, Emre can only get ejected late in the game.

"What we can control is now mathematically in the top four, where we finish," said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told reporters.

"For the title should be perfect and Chelsea will not be perfect, so let's focus on what we can control."

Ander Herrera scored at the end of each half and Wayne Rooney added a spectacular blow between Manchester United moved Champions Manchester City in third place with a 3-1 home win over Aston Villa.

Chelsea, which will be held Stoke City has 67 points in 29 games with Arsenal on 63 and United 62, both of 31 matches. Manchester City (61) face Crystal Palace on Monday.

The first four hopes Liverpool go quickly, and by 54 points in fifth place.

"It was a game we had to take some," said Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers.
"We did not defend well enough at key moments of the game."

Liverpool are seriously concerned about the absence of suspended defender Martin Skrtel, squandered a great opportunity to keep going when Lazar Markovich folded pass to Raheem Sterling, who was denied a crane after a swift counterattack.

The punishment came in the form of precise finishing Bellerin, sweet free kick Özil Sanchez and cruel blow. Stunning ball Rooney set buzzing Old Trafford as United gained his fourth consecutive victory, but the team has received mixed reviews from the manager Louis van Gaal.

"The first time I was very pleased with our performance, but in the second half we were too slow," said the Dutchman.

"We're still not sure about the Champions League qualification - it's still a rat race."

It was a good day for the teams fighting to avoid relegation.

Scrambled late goal by Andy King won a beautiful bottom club Leicester City 2-1 win over West Ham United and Queens Park Rangers-18a, 10 people made rubble West Bromwich Albion 4-1 rare away victory.

Hull City have deepened fears, however, after a 3-1 defeat at Swansea City.

Leicester remain four points behind 17th placed Sunderland, who play Newcastle United on Sunday, but QPR are just one point below the cutoff reduction. Everton all but ensures safety with a 1-0 win over Southampton, whose hopes for a top-four place now look sad.

Chelsea’s title? Five reasons why the Premier League race isn't over yet

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Perhaps it will require a sighting of Jean Van de Velde riding the ghost of Devon Loch around Stamford Bridge to convince anyone that Chelsea could possibly throw away the Premier League title this season.

However, with Arsenal and Manchester United joining Manchester City in the race for second, there are still three teams clinging on to slim hopes of catching the long-time leaders and the door has been left ajar just enough for fans of those teams to dare to dream.

From the reasons for Chelsea's unlikely dip in form to the unexpected hot streaks enjoyed by the Gunners and United, here are five reasons why – for now – there is some life left in this title race…

Faltering form

The familiar claim that it's not easy to turn form on and off ought to be a concern for Chelsea supporters as it's already cost them a tilt at the Champions League trophy this season. Mourinho's side have arguably failed to perform anywhere near to their best since defeating Swansea at the Liberty Stadium in mid-January.

Since winning on Boxing Day, Chelsea have picked up 22 points from 11 games – respectable enough but if that continues over the next seven games then Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United would each be mathematically capable of taking this race down to the final day.

Home hiccups

Surprisingly, where Chelsea's wobble has been most evident is at home. Mourinho's record at Stamford Bridge remains remarkable but chinks have been appearing of late amid the understandable atmosphere of expectancy. The Blues have won two of their last seven home games in all competitions and that includes an extra-time triumph over Liverpool in a game that was goalless after 90 minutes.

Burnley and Southampton have both held Chelsea in recent weeks and with Manchester United and Liverpool still to visit Stamford Bridge, their record in front of their own fans will be tested to the full before the season is out.