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PL roundup: VAR controversy as Arsenal held, Saints end winless run

Granit Xhaka's moment of madness allowed Chris Wood to score an equaliser.

Arsenal's European hopes suffered a self-inflicted blow in a 1-1 Premier League draw with Burnley at Turf Moor.

The Gunners were dominant and led through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's sixth-minute opener but contrived to gift the Clarets an equaliser in the 38th minute.

Granit Xhaka picked up a short pass in his own area from goalkeeper Bernd Leno and inexplicably kicked the ball against Burnley forward Chris Wood, watching in horror as it flew into the net.

Arsenal were awarded a late penalty for handball when Nicolas Pepe's volley hit Erik Pieters and struck the crossbar.

The Burnley defender was also shown a red card but both decisions were overturned after replays showed the ball struck Pieters' shoulder.

Goals from James Ward-Prowse and Che Adams gave Southampton a long-awaited and much-needed 2-0 victory and plunged Sheffield United nearer to relegation.

A first win in 10 matches stopped Saints' alarming slide and moved them 10 points clear of the bottom three, but the rock-bottom Blades look more unlikely by the week to pull off the greatest of escapes.

The defeat leaves Chris Wilder's side 12 points adrift of safety with just 10 matches remaining to save themselves.

Ward-Prowse netted from the penalty spot in the 32nd minute after Nathan Tella was brought down and Adams' superb strike four minutes after half-time gave Saints breathing space.

Romain Saiss' extraordinary miss forced Wolves to settle for a 0-0 derby draw at Aston Villa.

Romain Saiss holds his head in his hands after his dreadful miss
Romain Saiss holds his head in his hands after his dreadful miss (Peter Cziborra/PA)

The defender fired over an open goal from a yard out after Conor Coady hit the post.

Emi Martinez also denied Coady in the second half at Villa Park as the hosts drew for just the fourth time this season.

Ollie Watkins and Ezri Konsa hit the woodwork for Villa during a dominant first half but they lost their way after the break and relied on Saiss' howler to claim a point.

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Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock pictured in February 2021
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
2Arsenal32225575264971
3Liverpool32218372314171
4Aston Villa33196868491963
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle321551269521750
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd32155124748-150
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham33139115258-648
9Chelsea31138106152947
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32127134651-543
12Fulham33126154951-242
13Bournemouth32119124757-1042
14Crystal Palace3289153754-1733
15Brentford3388174758-1132
16Everton3298153248-1627
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3379174258-1626
18Luton TownLuton3367204670-2425
19Burnley3348213368-3520
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3237223084-5416


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