Arsenal climb to 3rd spot, Liverpool hit City’s title hopes

Arsenal recovered from their European heartbreak in midweek to beat Everton 2-0 at the Emirates and move back to third in the Barclays Premier League.

Olivier Giroud, who missed a lot of scoring chances in the 3-1 home defeat to Monaco in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 clash on Wednesday, scored a fine volley on 39 minutes to put the Gunners ahead on Sunday.

Substitute Tomas Rosicky then scored in the 89th minute to seal victory for the home side.

Everton had plenty of possession but could not find a way past goalkeeper David Ospina who was in brilliant form.

This third successive league win moved Arsenal ahead of Manchester United and are now just four points behind Manchester City.

At Anfield, two spectacular long-range strikes from Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho earned Liverpool a 2-1 victory over City that has compromised the champions’ title defence.

After Henderson’s 11th-minute opener had been cancelled out by Edin Dzeko, Coutinho curled home in a similar fashion from 25 yards as the Reds push for Champions League qualification.

City are now five points behind leaders Chelsea, who have a game in hand due to their involvement in the League Cup final.