EPL: Man Utd, Arsenal lose ground in top-four battle
After Gabriel Martinelli appeared to have headed Arsenal level moments before the break - only for a four-minute VAR check to rule him offside
Manchester United hope playing Champions League football next season gets thinner by day as n Anthony Gordon's goal was enough for Everton to grab a morale-boosting 1-0 victory over a struggling Red Devils at Goodison Park on Saturday.
The visitors hit the ground running, but Jordan Pickford produced a couple of great saves to deny a lively Marcus Rashford, who took Anthony Elanga's spot in the starting line-up.
Everton then managed to convert their first clear opportunity of the game into a goal 27 minutes in. Nemanja Matic lost the ball in the middle third and the Toffees pushed forward with Richarlison, whose cut-back found Gordon on the edge of the box.
The 21-year-old attacking midfielder unleashed a good strike, one which took a deflection off Harry Maguire, leaving David de Gea stranded.
Elsewhere, another top-four hopeful Arsenal handed the initiative in the race for Champions League qualification to rivals Tottenham as Brighton ended their own dire run of form with a deserved win at Emirates Stadium.
The Seagulls - seven games without a victory before kick-off - frustrated the home side with their organisation and efficient forward play in a game where Arsenal failed to look threatening until they mustered a desperate late push.
Only four teams have beaten Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium this season:
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 9, 2022
◎ Liverpool x2
◎ Chelsea
◎ Man City
◉ Brighton
You're a wizard, Graham. pic.twitter.com/AVbXXpTtk4
Leandro Trossard's curling first-half finish - after a fine assist by the impressive Enock Mwepu - gave Graham Potter's side something to build on.
And after Gabriel Martinelli appeared to have headed Arsenal level moments before the break - only for a four-minute VAR check to rule him offside - Brighton remained solid before doubling their lead with a superb Mwepu finish.
The Zambia midfielder side-footed home with power from the edge of the box to cap a rounded individual display and produce a look of disbelief on the face of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
Arteta's side rallied late on with Martin Odegaard firing home from range via a deflection but they stay fifth - level on points with fourth-placed Tottenham with eight games to play - while Potter's Brighton move up to 11th after just a fourth win in 26 league games.
