With most eyes on Sunday’s title race clash between Liverpool and Manchester City, Everton jumped over Arsenal and into fourth place in the Premier League on a day when a number of teams boosted their survival hopes.
With the top three in the Premier League all in action on Sunday, and Arsenal on FA Cup semi-final duty later on Saturday, Everton took advantage by winning 1-0 at bottom-placed Sunderland. With five games to go, Everton are in control of their own destiny and if Roberto Martinez’s side win the rest of their games they will be playing in the Champions League next season.
In sixth place, and clinging to the last Europa League place are Tottenham Hotspur, who were three down at West Brom after 31 minutes but secured a 3-3 draw courtesy of Christian Eriksen’s 94th-minute effort.
West Brom are now only three points from safety, and if Fulham catches them, then Baggies boss Pepe Mel will look at the last two weeks, when they conceded stoppage-time goals to draw 3-3 as the reason why.
Fulham did their hopes for anything great relegation escape a lot of good when they beat Norwich 1-0 at Craven Cottage. Norwich are now just two points about 18th place Fulham and with a brutal run of games to come, Fulham should jump over them to safety.
Another side hoping for a last minute escape from relegation is Cardiff City who won 1-0 at Southampton to remain just a point behind Fulham and three behind Norwich.
Crystal Palace beat Aston Villa 1-0 and should be safe as they are now seven points clear of the bottom three. Brendan Rodgers will will Manager of the Year awards, but nobody has down a better job than what Tony Pulis has down at Palace since taking over earlier this season.
