By John Essien
Tottenham missed the chance to go further clear in the race for top four after a last minute goal from Leandro Trossard gave Brighton a 1-0 win.
Trossard’s 90th-minute goal snatched a surprise three points for Brighton against Tottenham, as Antonio Conte’s side lost ground in the quest for possible Champions League football next season.
Fellow North London rivals, Arsenal saw their faltering quest for Champions League qualification suffer another setback after they slipped to a 1-0 loss to Southampton.
Spurs’ shock home defeat to Brighton in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off offered the Gunners the chance to move level on points with their London rivals who occupy the fourth position on the log.
But Mikel Arteta’s men blew a major opportunity to capitalise at St Mary’s as Jan Bednarek’s strike on the stroke of half-time condemned them to a fourth defeat from five games.
Arsenal’s defeat saw Manchester United move to fifth on the log –level on points with the Gunners who have a game at hand.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick proved decisive as United grabbed a 3-2 victory over relegation bound Norwich City.
This was the Portuguese’s second hat-trick in five games, and the 60th in his career.
However, the 37-year-old’s future at the club is still in the air amidst the speculation of him leaving at the end of the season. But the six-time Ballon d’Or winner has yet again proven to drag his side to a much-needed win in their hopes for a top-four finish.
The Red Devils will go against Liverpool on Tuesday at Anfield, which will be a major test as the Reds beat Manchester City to book their place in the FA Cup final.
