An Eddie Nketiah brace was enough for Arsenal to claim all three points against 10-man Leeds United in a comfortable 2-1 win at the Emirates Stadium, giving the North Londoners a huge boost in their pursuit of Champions League football.While the hosts were dreaming of a return to the top table of European football, Leeds were in need of all three points to put some distance between them and Everton in 18th place.Those survival aspirations took a big dent early on as Nketiah scored five minutes into the game. Illan Meslier took a heavy touch from a back pass and the Arsenal youngster charged down the keeper, prodding the ball into the net. It only took another five minutes for Nketiah to strike again and double the hosts lead. Cédric Soares passed down the left wing to Gabriel Martinelli, who used his quick footwork to get around the defenders, get to the by-line, and cut back to Nketiah, who scored his sixth league goal this season.Things got worse for Jesse Marsch’s side, as Luke Ayling was originally booked for a dangerous challenge on Martinelli, but on VAR review, the decision was changed to a red card. Leeds faced the prospect of the next hour of football with just 10 men, but the Yorkshire-based side were able to keep the scoreline intact until halftime.Arsenal continued to control the second half, but still couldn’t find that decisive third goal to kill off any remaining Leeds resistance. That resistance sparked into life in the 66th minute, when Junior Firpo glanced a header from a corner to the back post, where an unmarked Diego Llorente fired the ball past Aaron Ramsdale to half the deficit with his side’s first shot of the game.Arsenal eventually saw out the game and turn their eyes towards Thursday’s North London derby, knowing now that a win will secure their return to the Champions League for the first time since 2017. For Leeds, it now becomes a very daunting end to the season as they drop into the relegation zone with three games left to play.Elsewhere, Jordan Pickford’s heroics helped Everton earn a vital three points in their Premier League relegation battle as they beat Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. The England international made a string of stunning second-half saves as Frank Lampard’s men moved out of the relegation zone following first-half goals from Vitaliy Mykolenko and Mason Holgate.PREMIER LEAGUE – ROUND 36SaturdayBrentford – Southampton 3-0 (2-0)/Jansson 13, Wissa 14, Ajer 79/Burnley – Aston Villa 1-3 (0-2)/Cornet 90+1 – Ings 7, Buendia 31, Watkins 51/Chelsea – Wolverhampton 2-2 (0-0)/Lukaku 56 pen, 58 – Trincao 79, Coady 90+7/Crystal Palace – Watford 1-0 (1-0)/Zaha 31 pen/Brighton – Man.Utd. 4-0 (1-0)/Caicedo 15, Cucurella 49, Gross 57, Trossard 60/Liverpool – Tottenham 1-1 (0-0)/Diaz 74 – Son 56/SundayArsenal – Leeds 2-1 (2-0)/Nketiah 5, 10 – Llorente 66/Leicester – Everton 1-2 (1-2)/Daka 11 – Mykolenko 6, Holgate 30/Norwich – West Ham 0-4 (0-3)/Benrahma 12, 45+3, Antonio 30, Lanzini 65 pen/18:30: (1.17) Man.City (7.50) Newcastle (16.0)***odds are subject to change
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