LONDON -- its position was consolidated by Arsenal in the Champions League sites with a 1-0 gain at Fulham on Saturday, while Sunderland, Stoke and Norwich got big advantages to boost their hopes of surviving relegation from the English Premier League. Per Mertesacker's 43rd-minute header proved enough for Arsenal to climb provisionally above Chelsea in to third place, with its task made easier by Fulham midfielder Steve Sidwell's red card in the 12th at Craven Cottage. System also finished with 10 men after France striker Olivier Giroud's late sending-off. Sixth-place Everton's hopes of attaining the top four nosedived by dropping 1-0 at Sunderland, which rose six things clear of the relegation zone thanks to Stephane Sessegnon's success on the swing of halftime. With Stoke beating next-to-last Queens Park Rangers 2-0 away and Norwich overcoming last-place Reading 2-1, the last relegation berth appears to be between Aston Villa and Wigan, which dropped 2-0 at West Ham to keep third from bottom. Apartment sessions runaway chief Manchester United on Monday, and a gain for Paul Lambert's part at Old Trafford will finally condemn QPR and Reading to the fall. The condemned pair is 10 points off protection with four games remaining. In Saturday's different suits, Newcastle earned a place in its battle for survival with a draw at West Bromwich Albion and Swansea drew 0-0 at home to Southampton, continuing its battles since winning the League Cup at the finish of February. With Chelsea and fifth-place Tottenham not doing his thing until Sunday, Arsenal -- seeking Champions League soccer for a 16th direct year -- did not waste a chance to put pressure on its London competitors. Arsene Wenger's group built large work of it, though, with Fulham having more pictures at goal and dominating much of the 2nd half despite being down seriously to 10 men for 78 minutes after Sidwell's studs-first lunge at Mikel Arteta. It had been Sidwell's first game back from a three-match bar. "It spoiled the game somewhat but we fought like tigers and had better chances than them," Fulham manager Martin Jol said. Mertesacker's goal, from close range after central-defensive partner Laurent Koscielny went Theo Walcott's free end throughout the face of goal, failed to spice up a surprisingly subdued Arsenal and there were some anxious moments at the end, especially after Giroud's red card in the 90th for a tackle much like Sidwell's. "We used the handbrake on and tried to help keep the cause without using risks," said Wenger, who proposed Giroud was always apt to be sent off for his tackle in light of Sidwell's early in the day red card. "We didn't provide them with enough issues -- we dropped pace and quality." Strategy is unbeaten in six league activities since losing 2-1 at Tottenham on March 3, an outcome that did actually have really damaged its chances of the top four. Arsenal next represents Man United, which could clinch the title with a gain at Emirates Stadium. The destiny of QPR and Reading could possibly be made on Monday, while it is more likely to be next week when they are finally directed to the drop after spending months on the edge of relegation. Chris Crouch and Jon Walters scored at Loftus Road to finish Stoke's seven-game winless work, and QPR boss Harry Redknapp is losing hope of keeping up. "It seems extremely difficult, does not it? It would take a true miracle," Redknapp said. Reading remains base on goal difference after objectives by Ryan Bennett and Elliot Bennett in a 90-second amount moved Norwich eight points free from Wigan, whose conventional end-of-season surge has slowed up in recent months. A 1-0 loss at Manchester City was followed by a defeat at West Ham, with Matthew Jarvis rating the opener in the 21st when his combination crept in and Kevin Nolan grabbing his 100th job goal to seal success in the 80th. "Every sport is must-win game," said Wigan manager Roberto Martinez, whose team is three points behind Villa. "You look at it is not enough." and the level of factors we have Your decision by Sunderland's owners to fire boss Martin O'Neill and change him with Paolo Di Canio last month continues to check encouraged while the maverick Italian guided the northeast membership to another straight win. Just like last weekend in a victory at Newcastle, Di Canio didn't hide his pleasure on the touchline as Sessegnon scored in the minute for the only purpose at the Stadium of Light. "I was a footballer at many clubs and it is challenging if you find a said Di Canio, the former West Ham and Celtic forward. "The people could laugh now but 37 factors isn't enough. "Today was a step of progress nevertheless the main job is not done." Cardiff, which guaranteed promotion to the Premier League four days ago, clinched the subject in the second-tier League Championship by drawing 1-1 at Burnley on Saturday.
More Info: [Live Football] Manchester United - Aston Villa - English Premier League
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