Man United and Arsenal slip up, Chelsea hit Southampton for six

MANCHESTER, England : Manchester United and Arsenal's Premier League top-four hopes were hit by defeats on Saturday as Chelsea bounced back from their Champions League loss by scoring six goals at Southampton.

Leaders Manchester City host second-placed Liverpool on Sunday, leaving the focus of Saturday's games on the battle for the fourth Champions League spot.

United suffered a 1-0 loss to struggling Everton at Goodison Park while Arsenal were handed a surprise 2-1 home defeat by Brighton & Hove Albion.

The results were a major boost for Tottenham Hotspur who were fourth on 54 points ahead of their trip to Aston Villa later on Saturday.

Arsenal are also on 54 points with West Ham United and Manchester United both on 51 points.

Out of all cup competitions, United needed a victory at Frank Lampard's struggling Everton to kick-start their bid to return to the Champions League.

But after a promising start from the visitors it was Everton who grabbed the lead through Anthony Gordon's shot which deflected off Harry Maguire and beat the wrong-footed David De Gea in the United goal.

Everton, whose defeat at Burnley in midweek had left them a point and a place above the relegation zone, showed real grit and determination to hang on to their lead while United looked totally lacking in a coherent game plan.

A late Cristiano Ronaldo effort was as close as United came to an equaliser as they slipped to a loss that left English football's most successful club languishing seventh in the table.

Everton moved four points clear of 18th-placed Burnley, who travel to Norwich City on Sunday.

Arsenal suffered a second straight loss as Brighton ended their seven-match winless run with Zambian midfielder Enock Mwepu scoring one goal and creating