Arsenal title bid rocked by West Ham, Manchester United rescue Everton draw

NEW DELHI: West Ham's unexpected 1-0 victory over the 10-man Gunners dealt a serious damage to Arsenal's hopes of winning the Premier League, while struggling Manchester United overcame a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 at Everton on Saturday.
Arsenal had an opportunity to reduce the gap in the title race with a victory at the Emirates Stadium, since leaders Liverpool couldn't play until Sunday's trip to Manchester City.
However, Jarrod Bowen gave West Ham the first-half goal before the Gunners sent Myles Lewis-Skelly off after the half, and Mikel Arteta's team faltered to their first defeat in 16 league games.

Liverpool would move an incredible 11 points clear if they defeated struggling City, while second-place Arsenal, whose last top-flight loss occurred against Newcastle in November, are now eight points behind.
Spain midfielder Mikel Merino began for injury-plagued Arsenal as a substitute striker after scoring twice off the bench in the last moments of last weekend's victory at Leicester.
However, in the 44th minute, Jarrod Bowen headed in Aaron Wan-Bissaka's pinpoint cross, exposing Arsenal's lack of creativity without Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and Bukayo Saka.
In the 73rd minute, Lewis-Skelly took down Mohammed Kudus as the West Ham forward charged away on the half-way line, adding to Arsenal's suffering.
Referee Craig Pawson first gave Lewis-Skelly a yellow card, but after consulting the pitchside monitor, the defender's penalty was raised to a red.
"We started the game and we never got a grip of it. We didn't generate a threat or momentum," Arteta said.
"It is painful but this is sport. We need to feel the pain today, I think we deserve that."

Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure gave Everton a two-goal lead in the first thirty-three minutes at Goodison Park, sending United to their ninth league loss in the previous thirteen games.
Before Manuel Ugarte's equalizer saved a point, Fernandes' free kick gave Ruben Amorim's team their first goal eighteen minutes from the end.
Everton was given a penalty deep into stoppage time, but referee Andy Madley reversed his decision following a VAR review, setting up further late drama.
"We just played one half and we managed to draw the game. We didn't exist in the first half," Amorim said after his 15th-placed side's dismal run extended to just four wins in 15 league games.
Tottenham's 4-1 victory over third-bottom Ipswich relieved pressure on manager Ange Postecoglou.
Son Heung-min's cutback was tapped in by Brennan Johnson to give Tottenham the lead in the eighteenth minute.
Eight minutes later, Johnson scored again with a precise strike after receiving another assist from Son.
In the 36th minute, Omari Hutchinson gave Ipswich a response.
Dejan Kulusevski's goal in the 84th minute and Djed Spence's deflected attempt in the 77th minute, however, sealed Tottenham's second straight win.
With a crucial 1-0 victory over 10-man Bournemouth, Wolves strengthened their chances of surviving.
Late in the first half, Rayan Ait-Nouri's foul on Illia Zabarnyi for Bournemouth was converted from a yellow to a red card after VAR stepped in.
In the 36th minute, Wolves took the lead when Matheus Cunha directed his effort past Kepa Arrizabalaga after Dean Huijsen missed Nelson Semedo's cross.
Fifth-place Bournemouth's chances of finishing in the top four were dashed, and Vitor Pereira's squad currently sits five points above the relegation zone.
With an own goal, Joachim Andersen put his old team, Crystal Palace, on track to defeat Fulham 2-0.
Palace's most recent road victory was completed by a goal from Daniel Munoz in the 66th minute.
After losing to south-coast rivals Brighton 4-0 at St Mary's, Southampton moved one step closer to relegation.
Southampton, who are currently at the bottom of the standings, suffered their 21st loss in 26 league games this season thanks to goals from Joao Pedro, Georginio Rutter, Kaoru Mitoma, and Jack Hinshelwood in the 82nd minute.
With 12 games remaining to prevent an instant return to the Championship, Southampton is 13 points from safety.
In Saturday's late game, Chelsea will travel to Aston Villa in an attempt to strengthen their bid for a spot in the top four.