Arsenal pass latest test - Stay five points clear at top of Premier League

MANCHESTER, England:

Arsenal passed the latest test of their English Premier League title credentials with a crucial 2-1 win against Chelsea on Sunday, and Manchester United climbed up to third by beating Crystal Palace 2-1 to boost their pursuit of a return to the Champions League.

Jurrien Timber's second-half goal saw Arsenal re-establish a five-point lead over second-place Manchester City after Pep Guardiola's team kept the pressure on at the top by beating Leeds on Saturday.

Victory against Chelsea saw Arsenal overcome another of their major rivals and move a step closer to a first league title since 2004. It leaves the visit to City next month as potentially the last major hurdle for Mikel Arteta's team, which have no other games against the rest of the current top seven in the standings.

"We have the feeling that we have to win and win and win. You win so many games, but it is not enough to open the gap. That is the level of this league," Arteta said.

MAN UNITED THIRD

Benjamin Sesko's seventh goal in eight games sealed victory for United against Palace and moved them above Aston Villa in third on goal difference.

At the other end of the standings, Tottenham's winless run extended to 10 games after a 2-1 loss at Fulham -- leaving them mired in a fight to avoid relegation. Nottingham Forest also failed to pull further away from the drop zone after a 2-1 loss at Brighton.

SET PIECES

Arsenal's threat from set pieces proved the difference again. William Saliba put the home team in front, converting from a corner after 21 minutes.

And after Piero Hincapie's own-goal got Chelsea back into the game in first-half added time, Timber headed in from another corner in the 66th.

With 16 goals from corners this season, Arsenal have tied the record for an English Premier League season, according to stats provider Opta.

CARRICK'S RECORD

"It feels like a big result," United captain Bruno Fernandes said after his team beat Palace.

United's latest win boosted their push for a return to the Champions League and further strengthened Michael Carrick's credentials to be given the coach's job on a long-term basis.

He remains unbeaten since being given a contract to the end of the season in January, with a record of six wins in seven games. His cause may also have been helped after overcoming a Palace team coached by Oliver Glasner, who was one of the early favourites to get the job when United fired Ruben Amorim at the start of the year.

SINKING FEELING

Tottenham are still without a league win in 2026 after new coach Igor Tudor made it back-to-back losses in his first two games in charge. Spurs have equalled their longest winless streak in the Premier League -- matching a record that dates back to 1994, according to Opta.

Last week's 4-1 rout at the hands of north London rivals Arsenal was followed by another defeat at Fulham.

First-half goals from Harry Wilson and Alex Iwobi gave Fulham a 2-0 lead at the break. Richarlison pulled one back in the second half.

Tottenham are 16th -- four points and two places above the relegation zone with 10 rounds to go. - AP