Arsenal home in on second

Arsenal FC moved six points clear of Manchester United FC in the second automatic UEFA Champions League place with a 3-1 home win against Liverpool FC, which confirmed Everton FC’s place in Europe's premier club competition next season.

Quickfire double
Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek did well to push a Lauren header on to the crossbar early on, but the Polish international was powerless to stop Robert Pires from scoring after 25 minutes with a precise free-kick to put Arsenal ahead. The home side doubled their lead four minutes later when José Antonio Reyes surged through Liverpool’s defence before unleashing a left-foot shot into the far corner.

Fabregas decisive
The visitors reduced the deficit six minutes after the restart, when Steven Gerrard’s free-kick took a wicked deflection off Cesc Fabregas to leave Jens Lehmann wrong-footed. Luis García and Gerrard both went close to an equaliser, but with Rafael Benítez’s side pushing forward, Fabregas latched on to substitute Dennis Bergkamp’s flicked through-ball to seal the points for Arsenal in added time.

Everton joy
Arsène Wenger's team now require just one point from their final two games to guarantee second place and an automatic Champions League spot next term, while defeat for Liverpool means city rivals Everton qualify for the third qualifying round of the competition for the first time.

Wigan promoted
Meanwhile, Wigan Athletic FC will be make their debut in the top flight next season after finishing second in the Championship behind Sunderland AFC, who had already confirmed their promotion.