Pontus Jansson boosted Leeds United’s already-strong survival hopes with a 95th-minute winner to condemn Watford to yet another defeat. Losses for both the Hornets and Norwich helped the Whites maintain their nine-point cushion to the relegation zone.
They were the only two relegation-threatened teams in action on Saturday on a day where the FA Cup semi-final between Manchester City and Liverpool dominated the agenda. Whilst Jurgen Klopp’s side were booking their place in the final next month, Leeds supporters will have been keeping an eye on proceedings in the Premier League.
Those checking the scores will have seen that Jansson made it two goals in two games against Watford this season with a winner right at the death at Vicarage Road. The goal – which made it 2-1 to Brentford – moved Thomas Frank’s side onto 39 points in 11th place, hammering another nail into the Watford survival coffin in the process.
Read more: United's final six games predicted as Jesse Marsch and Co plot Premier League safety
Emmanuel Dennis had given his side hope of a much-needed victory when he cancelled out Christian Norgaard’s opener but it ultimately meant nothing. A third consecutive defeat for Watford leaves them six points behind 17th-placed Everton having played two more games.
Elsewhere, the only team below Roy Hodgson’s side in the table, Norwich, were also beaten despite a spirited performance against Manchester United at Old Trafford. A pair of goals from Cristiano Ronaldo put the Red Devils in a commanding position in the first half but the Canaries got back on level terms through Kieran Dowell and then Teemu Pukki.
Ronaldo ensured that he would be going home with yet another match ball though as his free-kick was too hot for Tim Krul to handle, giving his side a vital boost in the race for the top four. It left Norwich rooted to the foot of the table where they seem very likely to stay with seven points separating them from top-flight safety.
In the other two matches in the Premier League on Saturday, Arsenal and Tottenham both stuttered in their pursuits of a finish in the Champions League places. Firstly, Spurs were beaten 1-0 by Brighton in the early kick-off before their arch-rivals lost by the same scoreline against Southampton when they really needed a response.
Sunday sees 18th-placed Burnley visit West Ham United, as the post-Sean Dyche era begins for the Clarets, who will start the day four points behind 17th placed and Everton and nine adrift of Leeds.
