EPL Round 27 talking points: Arsenal five clear, United surge under Carrick

MANCHESTER United brought Premier League Round 27 to a close on Monday night with a 1-0 win over Everton, a result that may prove significant in the race for Champions League qualification.

Benjamin Sesko’s 71st-minute strike settled the contest at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, lifting United into the top four and capping a round filled with defining moments at both ends of the table.

Here are the main talking points from the action in Round 27.

Sesko delivers again for Carrick

Once more, Benjamin Sesko made the difference from the bench.

The Slovenian is yet to start in Michael Carrick’s six matches in charge, but has now scored in three of his last four appearances. His winner at Everton was his sixth goal in seven games since Ruben Amorim was sacked in January.

Carrick praised his impact afterwards.

"It was a ruthless finish, I like the way he put it away with real confidence," said Carrick.

"Great play from Matheus and Bryan to set it up. Delighted for Ben again, coming on and making the difference."

United’s £200 million trio of summer attacking signings combined for the decisive goal, with Matheus Cunha picking out Bryan Mbeumo, who squared for Sesko to slot home.

Victory leaves United three points clear of Liverpool and Chelsea in the battle for Champions League qualification, with only the top five set to qualify.

Defensive improvement under Carrick

While the performance was not described as sparkling, United registered a third clean sheet in six games under Carrick.

Before his arrival, United had kept just two clean sheets in 29 matches this season.

"We had to do a lot of work. Credit to Everton they made it difficult, made us defend our box a lot. The spirit with which we defended the box was top class," added Carrick.

Goalkeeper Senne Lammens played a key role, producing vital saves.

"Senne was oustanding tonight," said Carrick. "You couldn't hope for much more from a goalkeeper. It was an exempalary performance, so delighted for him.

"You want (a goalkeeper) to take the chaos away and Senne is that. That calmness and composure helps those in front of him."

Everton, meanwhile, have now failed to win in seven home games as they adapt to life at their 52,000-capacity stadium.

Arsenal’s emphatic derby response

Sunday’s standout result came in north London, where Arsenal beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze scored twice each, four days after Arsenal had been held to a 2-2 draw by Wolves.

The dropped points had prompted questions, but Gyokeres was clear about the response.

"It's always going to be difficult when you get a result like we had at Wolves, but it's how you handle that, and how you respond to it, and today we showed that in a good way.

"To get this result and this performance, it was the perfect way to respond."

He added: "There's a lot of games to go, but if we perform like this, it's going to be good."

The win left Arsenal five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table.

Guardiola and Arteta on the week ahead

With no midweek fixtures for Arsenal for the first time in more than two months, attention turned briefly to how the leaders would use the break.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said he would allow his players to relax with a few cocktails during the week.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta responded with a smile: "Cocktails? I don't drink cocktails. So, no, we will do our own thing."

City had earlier claimed a 2-1 victory over Newcastle United to remain in touch.

Elsewhere in Round 27

Liverpool maintained pressure near the top with a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest.

Erling Haaland did not score in City’s win, but he remains the Premier League’s leading scorer this season. Mohamed Salah has four goals so far this campaign.

As Round 27 concludes, Arsenal sit five points clear, United are back in the top four, and the race for both the title and Champions League places remains tightly contested.

Premier League Top Scorers After Round 27

1. Erling Haaland - Manchester City: 22

2. Thiago - Brentford: 17

3. Antoine Semenyo - Manchester City: 13

4. Joao Pedro - Chelsea: 11

5. Hugo Ekitike - Liverpool: 10

6. Dominic Calvert-Lewin - Leeds United: 10

7. Viktor Gyokeres - Arsenal: 10

8. Bruno Guimaraes - Newcastle United: 9

9. Bryan Mbeumo - Manchester United: 9

10. Danny Welbeck - Brighton: 9