United, Liverpool Eye EPL Top Four Finish

Though the League table does not show an impossibility of any of the top five teams winning the title, there is a likelihood of the trophy going to either Chelsea or Manchester City with the two being five points apart, though Chelsea has a game in hand.

The Wednesday night wins, therefore, puts Manchester United, one point less that third placed Arsenal, and Liverpool at 51 points all favourite for a top finish. Southampton who are currently sixth with 49 points also cannot be ruled out of the contest.

In the match, Ashley Young capitalised on a late error by Newcastle Keeper Tim Krul to give Manchester United a crucial win against the home team after 89 minutes of wasted chances and brilliant saves.

SPITTING ROW

The heated match was not without controversy with a spitting row between United defender Johny Evans and Newcastle forward Papiss Cisse stealing the show.

The incident has attracted sharp criticism from soccer pundit with Former Manchester United defender Phil Neville saying spitting is the worst thing a player can do on a pitch adding that both players will be embarrassed looking back at it.

Television replays appeared to show Evans spitting towards Cisse, who was on the ground after the striker challenged the Northern Ireland international. The Senegalese then appeared to respond by confronting Evans and spitting in his direction.

Arsenal put a brilliant show to beat QPR 2-1 at Loftus Road with Giroud and Sanchez on the score sheet while QPR got their goal through Charlie Austin.

Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge were on target to ensure Liverpool carried maximum points against Burnley at Anfield to increase Liverpool’s chances of playing in the Champions League for the second time in a row.

In other matches played Wednesday night Manchester City came back from weekend lose to Liverpool to beat Leicester 2-0, Stoke won against Everton 2-0, Tottenham saw off Swansea 3-2 while West Ham lost 1-0 at home to Chelsea.