Highlights and reactions as Arsenal, Chelsea tighten grip on top 4

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Catch up with all highlights and reactions from this past Sunday’s action in the Premier League where Chelsea and Arsenal strengthened their bids for a top-four spot with wins over Newcastle United and Leicester City, respectively.

Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle United

Kai Havertz eased Chelsea’s gloom over Roman Abramovich’s sanctioning as his late goal sealed a 1-0 win over Newcastle in the first home game since the Blues were plunged into crisis by the damaging restrictions.

Chelsea owner Abramovich has been sanctioned by the British government after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the fallout has placed the future of the European champions in doubt.

But Thomas Tuchel’s side have kept their heads amid the mayhem and Havertz struck late on to make it four successive wins since Abramovich announced he would sell the club in a move that failed to stop the sanctions.

Chelsea remain in third place in the Premier League and turn their attention to defending a 2-0 lead in the Champions League last-16 second-leg clash with Lille on Wednesday.

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Arsenal 2-0 Leicester City

Arsenal are closing in on a return to the Champions League for the first time in six seasons as a fifth consecutive win took them back in front of Manchester United with three games still to come.

The Gunners were dominant from the first whistle and went in front when Thomas Partey exposed Leicester’s weakness from set pieces to head home the opener on 11 minutes.

Partey was also involved in the second goal as his header was handled by Caglar Souyuncu and Alexandre Lacazette rifled the resulting penalty high beyond Kasper Schmeichel.

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West Ham 2-1 Aston Villa

West Ham maintained their ambitions of a top-four finish in emotional circumstances as Ukrainian international Andriy Yarmolenko marked his return to action by scoring in a 2-1 win over Aston Villa.

Yarmolenko had been given time off following Russia’s invasion of his homeland to help aid some of his family to safety.

Introduced as a second-half substitute, he fired home the opening goal 20 minutes from time and was overcome with emotion as he bent down on his knees in celebration.

“It was so emotional for me because of the situation in my country,” said Yarmolenko.

“It is so difficult for me right now in this moment thinking about football because every day, the Russian army is killing Ukrainian people.”

Pablo Fornals quickly doubled the Hammers’ lead before Jacob Ramsey pulled a late consolation goal back for Villa.

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At the bottom of the table, only goal difference is keeping Everton out of the relegation zone after Conor Coady’s goal gave Wolves a 1-0 win at Goodison Park.

Leeds moved four points clear of the bottom three after securing their first win under new manager Jesse Marsch in dramatic fashion as Joe Gelhardt struck deep into stoppage time to beat bottom-of-the-table Norwich 2-1 at a relieved Elland Road.

Watford secured a much-needed win to keep alive their hopes of survival by beating Southampton 2-1 at St Mary’s thanks to Cucho Hernandez’s double.

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