Giroud bags brace for Arsenal gunning for second-spot

Arsenal ended a disappointing week on a bright note by maintaining their push for second place in the Barclays Premier League (BPL) with a 2-1 win at Newcastle United.

Olivier Giroud scored two goals as the Gunners put their midweek UEFA Champions League misery behind them with a hard-fought win at St James’ Park.

Moussa Sissoko provided some hope for the home fans when he reduced the deficit shortly after the half-time interval. But Newcastle could not complete the comeback as Arsenal stayed within a point of second-placed Manchester City.

Earlier at the Etihad, City raised a faint hope of a title hunt after their convincing 3-0 win over 10-man West Brom.

There was controversy in the first minute as Gareth McAuley was mistakenly sent off by referee Neil Swarbrick for a foul committed by Craig Dawson, before Wilfried Bony opened his City account with a well-taken goal.

Fernando and David Silva completed the scoring in the one-way tie that saw City close the gap between themselves and Chelsea to three points.

Harry Kane‘s hat trick and a late own goal helped see Tottenham Hotspur past Leicester City in a 4-3 win at White Hart Lane.

Jamie Vardy, Wes Morgan and David Nugent scored for the Foxes, who remain in the BPL basement despite a battling effort.

Spurs remain tied for sixth with Southampton, a point back of fifth-place Liverpool, while Leicester sits in 20th with 19 points.

Bafetimbi Gomis’ late strike clinched a deserved 1-0 win for Swansea as Aston Villa failed to climb away from danger.

The forward scored his sixth goal of the season with just three minutes left as the game looked to be heading for a draw.

Burnley remain in the relegation places after losing to Southampton at the St Mary’s Stadium.

Goals from Shane Long and a Jason Shackell own goal sealed the Clarets fate as Southampton continued their push to qualify for European football.

Glenn Murray and Wilfried Zaha were on target as Crystal Palace clinched a 2-1 win over Stoke City to go above Alan Pardew’s old club Newcastle into 11th spot in the BPL table.

Mame Diouf put the Potters ahead, but Palace then hit Stoke with two goals just before half time.

First Murray converted a spot kick following a challenge from Asmir Begovic and then Wilfried Zaha punished loose defending to make it 2-1.

With the win Palace climb to 11th on 36 points, while Stoke drop to ninth on 42 points.