Arsenal [ Images ] climbed back into the Premier League's top four for the first time since December when they won 2-1 at West Bromwich Albion [ Images ] thanks to two goals from Tomas Rosicky despite having defender Per Mertesacker sent off on Saturday.
The victory moved Arsenal on to 56 points, one more than Chelsea [ Images ], who slipped back to fifth, at least until they play Sunderland at Stamford Bridge [ Images ] on Sunday.
Rosicky, whose season has been disrupted by injury, headed Arsenal ahead after 20 minutes and scored the second from a rebound in the 50th minute.
Mertesacker was sent off for a foul in the penalty area on Shane Long after 71 minutes and James Morrison scored from the spot to set up a nervous finale for the Gunners.
Southampton dented the survival hopes of their former manager Nigel Adkins and his Reading team when they beat them 2-0 in a lunchtime kickoff.
Goals from Jay Rodriguez and Adam Lallana sealed Southampton's victory and Reading stayed bottom of the table, level on 23 points with Queens Park Rangers.
Aston Villa [ Images ] moved out of the relegation zone and improved their chances of staying up with a 3-1 win at Stoke City [ Images ] and Norwich City drew 2-2 with Swansea City at Carrow Road.
Photograph: Darren Staples/Reuters
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