LONDON: Everton took advantage of Arsenal’s FA Cup distraction to move up into fourth place though they made hard work of a 1-0 win over bottom club Sunderland.

The Wearsiders had a number of good chances but failed to take advantage and they were caught out after 75 minutes as Gerard Deulofeu’s cut-back was diverted into his own net by Wes Brown.

It was the Black Cats’ sixth own goal of the campaign.

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet said: “This has been the story of our season. Again we were doing well in the game, it was very tight and there was nothing between the teams – and then we go and lose the game like that.”

Strugglers Fulham and Cardiff increased their their hopes of avoiding relegation with important 1-0 wins.

Hugo Rodallega hit the winner for Fulham as the Londoners edged their battle with another side in the scrap at the bottom, Norwich, at Craven Cottage.

Rodallega struck five minutes before the break with Norwich having threatened when Robert Snodgrass hit the crossbar from a free-kick.

The result tightened the table just outside the relegation zone, leaving Norwich – who wasted numerous opportunities in their first game since parting company with manager Chris Hughton – just two points above 18th-placed Fulham.

Juan Cala was the Cardiff hero, scoring the only goal of the Welsh side’s victory at Southampton.

Cardiff were on the back foot for much of the game, not least when a deflected Gaston Ramirez shot crashed back off the crossbar. But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men, who remain 19th, held firm and picked up the three points when Cala struck from just outside the box in the 65th minute.

Christian Eriksen scored an stoppage-time equaliser as Tottenham completed a remarkable comeback from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 at West Bromwich.

The Baggies had looked like improving their survival prospects as they raced into a 2-0 lead at The Hawthorns through goals from Matej Vydra and Chris Brunt inside the first four minutes.

Ben Foster then saved a penalty from Spurs’ Emmanuel Adebayor before Stephane Sessegnon added a third for West Brom.

But Tottenham were not finished, pulling one back as Jonas Olsson deflected a Kyle Naughton cross past Foster before the break and Harry Kane then headed home.

Spurs still had 20 minutes to find an equaliser and Eriksen provided it in the fourth minute of injury time to deny West Brom a first home win under Pepe Mel.

Crystal Palace claimed another three crucial points as Jason Puncheon secured a 1-0 win over Aston Villa at Selhurst Park.

Puncheon fired in off the post 14 minutes from time after Cameron Jerome had earlier squandered a fine chance by hitting the bar from close range.

Puncheon hit the woodwork late on as Villa suffered their fourth successive defeat, leaving them with work still to do to secure their top-flight status.

Newcastle were also beaten for a fourth straight game as they went down 1-0 to Erik Pieters’ strike at Stoke.

Pieters appeared to be crossing when he found the top corner after 42 minutes, a goal that proved the only one of the game.

 

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