Havertz takes Arsenal to top

London, March 10: Arsenal needed Kai Havertz’s late winner to go top of the Premier League by beating Brentford 2-1 on Saturday as Manchester United kept alive their faint hopes of finishing in the top four with a 2-0 win over Everton.

An eighth consecutive Premier League win took Mikel Arteta’s men one point ahead of Liverpool and two clear of defending champions City. But they had to overcome a glaring error from Aaron Ramsdale on his return to the Arsenal goal.

All seemed to be going to plan for the home side when Declan Rice continued his fine goalscoring form by heading in Ben White’s cross on 19 minutes.

However, there was a sting in the tale in a moment Ramsdale will want to forget in first-half stoppage time.

The England international was making just his second Premier League start since September as the on-loan David Raya was ineligible to feature against his parent club.

Ramsdale’s lack of match sharpness may have been a factor as he dallied on the ball as his attempted clearance ricocheted off Yoane Wissa into the net.

The Arsenal goalkeeper bounced back after the break to make vital saves from Ivan Toney’s spectacular effort and Nathan Collins’ header.

Havertz then bulleted home a header from another White cross four minutes from time.

Everton were made to pay for conceding two first-half penalties as Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford scored from the spot.

Erik ten Hag’s team are now eight points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa and three behind Tottenham in fifth, who face each other on Sunday, in the race to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Everton sit four points above the relegation zone as their winless league run extended to 11 games.