Soccer

Arsenal and Everton record crucial Premier League wins

Reading end eight-game losing streak with scoreless draw against wasteful Liverpool

Everton's Darron Gibson shoots to score against Queens Park Rangers' Park. Photograph: Nigel Roddis/Reuters
Everton's Darron Gibson shoots to score against Queens Park Rangers' Park. Photograph: Nigel Roddis/Reuters
Sat Apr 13 2013 - 17:36

Mikel Arteta, Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolksi scored in the last five minutes as Arsenal came from a goal down to beat Norwich 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium.

Arteta’s penalty after 85 minutes cancelled out Michael Turner’s header and Giroud then turned in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s cross to put the Gunners ahead.

Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski then twice denied Norwich an equaliser before Podolski wrapped up the victory with a fierce strike from the edge of the box. Arsenal's comeback win lifted them above Chelsea and Tottenham, who did not play today, into third place while Everton strengthened their bid for European football with victory.

Mikel Arteta of Arsenal equalises from the spot against Norwich City at Emirates Stadium. Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Mikel Arteta of Arsenal equalises from the spot against Norwich City at Emirates Stadium. Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Mikel Arteta of Arsenal equalises from the spot against Norwich City at Emirates Stadium. Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Mikel Arteta of Arsenal equalises from the spot against Norwich City at Emirates Stadium. Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

David Moyes' side cruised to a 2-0 win over QPR to move within three points of Champions League qualification.

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Darron Gibson put Everton ahead with a deflected strike five minutes before the interval and Victor Anichebe wrapped up the points, sending QPR a step closer to relegation.

QPR had chances through Junior Hoilett and Loic Remy but they were punished for a lack of quality and endeavour.

Reading goalkeeper Alex McCarthy was the hero as the bottom club snapped an eight-game losing streak with a goalless draw at home to Liverpool. Time and again McCarthy came to the Royals' rescue by producing a succession of world-class saves to deny Luis Suarez, Steven Gerrard, Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge.

Coutinho also had a goal disallowed for offside and Suarez saw a chip cleared off the line by Chris Gunter.

Aston Villa missed the chance to pull clear of the relegation zone when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham, with Fabien Delph's own goal cancelling out Charles N'Zogbia's curling strike. Delph also wasted a golden chance to atone for his mistake in the 73rd minute but he blasted high and wide from the back post after a cross from Andreas Weimann.

Villa could have moved five points clear of the relegation zone but their cushion is just three points and their position remains precarious. Villa’s goal difference of minus-24 is inferior to both Sunderland and Wigan, who are immediately below them.

Southampton were also held at home after taking the lead, drawing 1-1 with West Ham striker Andy Carroll cancelling out the Saints' opener from Gaston Ramirez.