Arsenal beat Manchester United 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday to keep alive their hopes of still finishing in the Premier League's top four and qualifying for next season's UEFA Champions League.The Gunners stay sixth but are now just two points behind United and six behind fourth-placed Manchester City, having played a game less than both. Meanwhile, United appear content to focus entirely on winning the UEFA Europa League to earn a place in Europe's top club tournament next season.Earlier, Liverpool went back above Manchester City into thirdbut still dropped two precious points after a goalless draw against Southampton at Anfield. The hosts had the chance to win, but James Milner saw a second-half penalty saved by Fraser Forster.Liverpool could rue the dropped points, as they are now just five above United, with the latter having a game in hand. It means the Red Devils could still catch Liverpool in the top-four race.Here are the final scores from Sunday's matches:Here's what those results mean for the standings:RecapGoalkeepers were on top early on as both stoppers made a pair of fine saves apiece to keep the score goalless.First, United's David De Gea was in terrific form to deny Aaron Ramsey then Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.Meanwhile, Arsenal 'keeper Petr Cech saved from Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney, with the latter stop particularly impressive.In truth, United had begun the brighter, controlling the passing and moving the ball well through midfield. To illustrate the point, Squawka Football relayed a graphic showing how efficient United's pass-masters were early on:By contrast, the Gunners took time to get their passing going. Arsenal's struggles on the ball were summed up by the lack of involvement by the man tasked with leading the line, ex-United striker Danny Welbeck:When Arsenal did improve, it was Ramsey who led the charge. The Welshman consistently pushed further forward against increasingly deep United defensive lines.Ramsey's team-mate Granit Xhaka also gained in confidence as the half wore on, spraying several passes over the top to release runners on the flanks. Oxlade-Chamberlain was the most common beneficiary of Xhaka's pinpoint deliveries.It was Xhaka who brought the game to life after the break when his long-range shot took a wicked deflection off Ander Herrera and looped over De Gea. Sky Sports Statto relayed an image of Xhaka's strike:The Gunners doubled their lead three minutes later when Oxlade-Chamberlain lifted a cross in for Welbeck, whose header went in off the underside of the bar. Welbeck has established a niche for scoring against his old club since joining Arsenal in 2014, per WhoScored.com:Ironically, the Gunners aren't always known for their prowess in the air, but they have made a surprising habit of scoring from headers this season:As for the provider, one more assist emphasised the improvement in the creative side of Oxlade-Chamberlain's game this season, per OptaJoe:Ultimately, beleaguered Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger earned his first league win over United chief Jose Mourinho without too much fuss.Liverpool thought they had finally broken a resolute Southampton defence down when centre-back Jack Stephens handled in the box on 64 minutes. Milner, usually automatic from the spot, stepped up but was denied brilliantly by Forster.Sky Sports Statto relayed an image of the snap save:Forster's heroics were simply the signature moment of a stubborn rearguard action from the visitors. Southampton funnelled Liverpool though central areas, where compact defensive and midfield lines denied space between midfield and the front.Instead, the hosts were reduced to shots from distance, with Squawka Football detailing how often Liverpool peppered the Southampton goal:Even so, Liverpool couldn't find the breakthrough in front of the Anfield faithful. Failing to score in front of home support is a rarity for Liverpool on manager Jurgen Klopp's watch:However, not finding the net has been a familiar pattern for Liverpool against these Saints this season. OptaJoe outlined how inefficient the Reds have been against Southampton in league action:Meanwhile, Sky Sports Statto showed how the Saints, who also beat Liverpool in both legs of the EFL Cup semi-final, have become a bogey side for the men from Anfield:Liverpool's Southampton hoodoo could yet end up costing them a place in next season's UEFA Champions League. By contrast, Arsenal may still make the top four but must take maximum points from their remaining fixtures.Read more World Football news on BleacherReport.com
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