Arsenal claim nervy win over Chelsea, Man Utd go third

LONDON, March 1 : Arsenal kept their Premier League title destiny in their own hands as they eked out a nervy 2-1 derby win against Chelsea on Sunday with their corner routines again coming to the rescue.

Jurrien Timber's second-half header ensured Arsenal restored their five-point lead over Manchester City who had upped the ante with victory over Leeds United the day before.

Manchester United returned to the Premier League's top three for the first time since May 2023 as they came from a goal down to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 at Old Trafford.

United are now unbeaten in seven games under interim manager Michael Carrick whose name was chanted loudly at the end.

Arsenal's win took them to 64 points from 29 games with Manchester City on 59 having played one game fewer. United have 51 points, moving ahead of Aston Villa on goal difference.

"The feeling that you have to continue to win and win and win, but it is not enough to open a gap," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. "This is the beauty and the level of this league."

Chelsea are sixth on 45 points after only two points from their last three league games. Defeat was their first in seven league games under new manager Liam Rosenior and was a blow to their hopes of a top-five finish.

They were hardly helped by Pedro Neto picking up two yellow cards in three minutes after Timber's goal and becoming the seventh Chelsea player to be red-carded this season.

"It's something that we need to address, not just Pedro but as a team to make sure we have 11 men on the pitch," Rosenior, whose side were also beaten by Arsenal in the League Cup semi-finals last month, said.

Arsenal got ahead when captain Bukayo Saka's deep corner was headed across the six-yard area by Gabriel and fellow defender