EPL: Arsenal close gap on leaders

LONDON (AP):

Mikel Merino led Arsenal to a 1-0 win against Chelsea in the English Premier League (EPL) to close the gap on Liverpool to 12 points.

Arsenal's title hopes have faded in recent weeks, but Merino's first-half header settled the London derby at the Emirates Stadium.

"The only thing we can do is try to win our matches. If we do, we are in a better position," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said.

Merino rose in the 20th minute to flick Martin Odegaard's near post corner beyond Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. It was enough to secure a first league win for Arsenal since February 15.

Defeat for fourth-place Chelsea means they missed the chance to extend their one-point lead over Manchester City in fifth and boost their chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season.

Arsenal, on 58 points, are 10 clear of four-time defending champions City.

Man United win

Manchester United built on their impressive midweek Europa League victory with a 3-0 win over struggling Leicester.

Days after beating Real Sociedad 4-1 in the last 16 at Old Trafford, Rasmus Hojlund ended his goal drought to open the scoring for United at the King Power Stadium and, after having a goal disallowed, Alejandro Garnacho doubled the advantage.

Bruno Fernandes wrapped up three points with a late goal as the visitors climbed to 13th and inflicted a sixth successive loss on the relegation-threatened Foxes.

Another setback for Tottenham is likely to increase the pressure on coach Ange Postecoglou heading into the international break after a 2-0 loss at Fulham.

Spurs, in 14th, have only won one of their last five in all competitions and this was a 15th league defeat of the season.

"It's been a difficult campaign for sure. But I feel we've lost too many games that we should have got stuff out of, and this was one of those games," Postecoglou said. "It's another international break we go into off a loss and you feel that. We just need to make sure we're ready for when we come back."

Rodrigo Muniz gave Fulham the lead in the 78th at Craven Cottage and Ryan Sessegnon doubled the home team's lead 10 minutes later.

Fulham are eighth and four points behind Chelsea in the race for a Champions League place.