Manchester United kept alive their slim hopes of finishing in the Premier League’s top four with a 2-0 victory over Everton, while Arsenal braced themselves for a chance to top the table later on Saturday. Manchester United stars Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford sealed the victory with first-half penalties at Old Trafford. Erik ten Hag’s side are now eight points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa and three behind fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur in the race to qualify for next season’s Champions League. Everton are four points above the relegation zone and their winless run in the league has extended to 11 games.

Consecutive losses to Fulham and Manchester City dealt a huge blow to Manchester United’s top-four ambitions.

When Villa faced off against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, they took full advantage of Everton’s mistakes to close in on their opponents.

Alejandro Garnacho was the difference between the two teams, with his quick feet triggering penalties twice.

James Tarkovski was the first Everton defender to launch an ill-timed challenge on Ganaccio 10 minutes later, and Fernandez scored his eighth goal of the season.

Garnacho endured a series of challenges before being chopped down by Ben Godfrey in the 36th minute.

Fernandes handed the penalty duty to Rashford and Jordan Pickford was unable to stop the striker, who scored his fifth goal in nine league games.

Paying tribute to Garnacho’s impact, Ten Hag said: “I loved working with Garnacho and a lot of the other players in the team, but he was a player who loved a challenge.

“Brave, confident, our job is to push him to a high level, but he’s doing that. He has high potential.”

Arsenal have a chance to top the table for at least 24 hours when leaders Liverpool face second-placed Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday.

Third-placed Arsenal will move a point ahead of Liverpool if they beat Brentford at the Emirates Stadium later on Saturday.

Mikel Arteta’s side have won their last seven league games, scoring 31 goals, to lay the foundation for their first title since 2004.

Luton win priceless points

Third-bottom Luton salvaged a priceless victory with a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace thanks to Cauley Woodrow’s late equalizer.

Oliver Glasner’s side scored in the 11th minute after a poor return pass from Luton’s Alfie Doughty set up Daniel Munoz for Jean-Philippe Matata’s shot.

But six minutes into stoppage time, Woodrow equalized from Andros Townsend’s cross, leaving Luton three points behind safety.

Sheffield United, bottom of the table, fought back from a two-goal lead by Bournemouth and drew 2-2 at the Vitality Stadium.

Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke missed a penalty awarded for a foul on Tom Davies in the 14th minute, with the striker slipping on his run-up and knocking the kick over the crossbar.

In the 28th minute, Jayden Bogle’s shot was blocked and Gustavo Hamer’s close-range shot gave Manchester United the lead.

Jack Robinson scored Sheffield United’s second goal in the 64th minute, scoring from close range after Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto punched Solanke.

But Dango Ouattara pulled one back with a header from a corner kick in the 74th minute and Bournemouth equalized in stoppage time before Enes Unal scored the club’s first goal .

Wolves boosted their prospects of qualifying for Europe next season with a 2-1 win over Fulham at Molineux.

In the 52nd minute, Totti cut into the penalty area and Rayan Ait Nouri’s shot hit the top of the net.

Nelson Semedo’s long-range effort met Tom Cairney’s powerful effort to set up an own goal in the 67th minute, while Alex Iwobi’s stoppage-time strike provided Fulham with no consolation.

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