Top Four Race Hosts Up

Ahead of what could be a vital Easter weekend, three games took place this midweek as six teams looked to turn games in hand into points.

Tuesday saw Arsenal host West Ham with hopes regaining fourth place but they suffered a blow when Jarvis put the Hammers in front in the 40th minute but Podolski levelled for the Gunners just before half-time. Giroud put Arsenal in front in the 55th minute and paid homage to the 96 Hillsborough victims by kissing his black armband and looking to the sky in tribute.

The match was settled with 12 minutes to go as Podolski scored his second and to secure a 3-1 win that puts Arsenal back into fourth, a point clear of Everton.

After being displaced by Arsenal, Everton hosted Crystal Palace last night but were stunned after 23 minutes when Puncheon extended his scoring streak by putting Palace ahead the damage increased for Everton four minutes into the second half when Dann put Palace 2-0 up.

Everton pulled one back when Naismith struck on the hour-mark but the two-goal deficit returned in the 73rd minute when Jerome made it 3-1 to the visitors. Mirallas scored a second for Everton with four minutes left but Palace held on to claim a surprise win that puts them on 40 points in 11th and leaves Everton with work to do to regain fourth place.

After slipping back in the title race on Sunday, Manchester City had to use their re-arranged game at home to Sunderland to catch up on the top two and had  the perfect start with Fernandinho putting them in front inside three minutes. Sunderland stunned the Etihad crowd when Wickham equalised in the 73rd minute before hitting a second ten minutes later to put City's title hopes on a knife-edge and give Liverpool and Chelsea a massive boost.

 However, Sunderland's luck went from good to bad in the 88th minute when Nasri's shot was fumbled by Mannone and the 'keeper flailed at the loose ball twice before it crossed the line and put City level at 2-2 which was how the game finished, Sunderland's hopes of survival could hinge on Mannone's error while City's failure to win means Liverpool can drop points and still win the title.