Video: EPL wrap - Arsenal snatch win as relegation battle heats up

(AAP)
(AAP)

Arsenal have all but secured a spot in the Champions League next season with an unconvincing 1-0 victory over relegation-threatened Norwich at Emirates Stadium.

The Canaries had a number of chances, but a solitary goal from Gunners forward Danny Welbeck proved enough as they moved eight points clear of West Ham in fifth.

Welbeck's strike just before the hour mark was a quintessential Arsenal goal, lovely build-up play culminating in a pinpoint cross to French striker Olivier Giroud, who nodded into the path of Welbeck to place the ball into the bottom corner.

Their win leaves struggling Norwich in plenty of strife – they now languish second from bottom after their relegation rivals both earned important results.

Newcastle recorded a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace as they moved out of the relegation zone, in a victory that may prove vital come the end of the season.

The Magpies were forced to ride their luck – former midfielder Yohan Cabaye seeing his penalty saved by goalkeeper Karl Darlow – but the goal that gave them the win was all class.

Former Spurs winger Andros Townsend, who has been somewhat anonymous for the majority of the season, scored an absolute pearler of a free-kick for the home side to see them rise to 17th, one point ahead of Sunderland in 18th.

Sunderland will know they are probably in the healthier position though, as they have three games left to play while their crosstown foes Newcastle only have two – and they'll be buoyed by earning a point at Stoke overnight.

Jermain Defoe provided a calm finish from the penalty spot at the death to rescue a draw, after the Potters' talented winger Marko Arnautovic had opened the scoring in the 50th minute.

Arnautovic's strike looked to be the decider before American defender Geoff Cameron clumsily brought down Defoe in the box in the dying seconds of the match.

Meanwhile Everton beat Bournemouth 2-1 at Goodison Park after Tom Cleverley and Leighton Baines scored either side of a Marc Pugh goal, while a brace from Mark Noble helped West Ham earn a 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns.

Aston Villa's miserable season continued with a loss 3-2 to Watford at Vicarage Road, after conceding two Troy Deeney goals in the game's final stages to see just their fourth league win of the campaign snatched away cruelly.

Ciaran Clark and Jordan Ayew had scored to give them a 2-1 lead earlier, but a red card to defender Aly Cissokho contributed to their undoing.

Tomorrow morning, Leicester City have the opportunity to win the Premier League title with victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

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