Arsenal beat Newcastle at Emirates Stadium to move above Manchester United and north London rivals Tottenham and go third in the Premier League.
Aaron Ramsey, who had an earlier effort disallowed following a foul, put the hosts ahead with a fine low strike from 15 yards out.
Newcastle’s Matt Ritchie produced a diving header on the goalline to deny Alexandre Lacazette, but the Frenchman doubled Arsenal’s lead late on when he calmly lofted the ball over goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.
The visitors’ best chance fell to Salomon Rondon and his low shot was pushed wide by Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
Arsenal were 10 points behind Tottenham at the start of February but this victory took the Gunners two points clear of fourth-placed Spurs and United in fifth with seven league games remaining.
Race for the Premier League top four | |||
---|---|---|---|
Arsenal | Chelsea | Man Utd | Tottenham |
3 April Brighton (H) | 2 April Wolves (A) | 3 April Crystal Palace (H) | |
7 April Everton (A) | 8 April West Ham (H) | ||
15 April Watford (A) | 14 April Liverpool (A) | 13 April West Ham (H) | 13 April Huddersfield (H) |
21 April Crystal Palace (H) | 22 April Burnley (H) | 21 April Everton (A) | 20 April Manchester City (A) |
24 April Wolves (A) | 24 April Man City (H) | 23 April Brighton (H) | |
29 April Leicester (A) | 28 April Man Utd (A) | 28 April Chelsea (H) | 27 April West Ham (H) |
4 May Brighton (H) | 4 May Watford (H) | 4 May Huddersfield (A) | 4 May Bournemouth (A) |
12 May Burnley (A) | 12 May Leicester (A) | 12 May Cardiff (H) | 12 May Everton (H) |
–
Source: BBC