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EPL Table: 2017 Week 32 Standings After Sunday's Premier League Scores
April 9, 2017
Manchester United and Everton both kept their hopes of finishing in the top four of the Premier League alive by winning on Sunday. United beat Sunderland 3-0 at the Stadium of Light before Everton overcame defending champions Leicester City in a 4-2 thriller at Goodison Park.
United's win means the Old Trafford club moves up to fifth, three points ahead of an Arsenal side that's played a game fewer and will be in action away to Crystal Palace on Monday. Everton are three points adrift of the Red Devils having played two games more.
Meanwhile, Sunderland are now 10 points clear of safety and rooted to bottom place. As for Leicester, the champions remain on the doorstep of the top 10 in 11th.
Here are the final scores from Sunday's matches:
| EPL 2016/17 Results Week 32: Sunday Scores | ||
| Home | Score | Away |
| Sunderland | 0-3 | Manchester United |
| Everton | 4-2 | Leicester City |
| Sky Sports | ||
Here's what those results mean for the standings:
| EPL 2016/17 Table Week 32: Sunday Standings | |||||||
| Position | Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goal Difference | Points |
| 1 | Chelsea | 31 | 24 | 3 | 4 | 40 | 75 |
| 2 | Tottenham Hotspur | 31 | 20 | 8 | 3 | 42 | 68 |
| 3 | Liverpool | 32 | 18 | 9 | 5 | 28 | 63 |
| 4 | Manchester City | 31 | 18 | 7 | 6 | 25 | 61 |
| 5 | Manchester United | 30 | 15 | 12 | 3 | 22 | 57 |
| 6 | Arsenal | 29 | 16 | 6 | 7 | 25 | 54 |
| 7 | Everton | 32 | 15 | 9 | 8 | 21 | 54 |
| 8 | West Bromwich Albion | 32 | 12 | 8 | 12 | -2 | 44 |
| 9 | Southampton | 30 | 11 | 7 | 12 | 0 | 40 |
| 10 | Watford | 31 | 10 | 7 | 14 | -16 | 37 |
| 11 | Leicester City | 31 | 10 | 6 | 15 | -12 | 36 |
| 12 | Burnley | 32 | 10 | 6 | 16 | -12 | 36 |
| 13 | Stoke City | 32 | 9 | 9 | 14 | -13 | 36 |
| 14 | West Ham United | 32 | 10 | 6 | 16 | -15 | 36 |
| 15 | Bournemouth | 32 | 9 | 8 | 15 | -14 | 35 |
| 16 | Crystal Palace | 30 | 9 | 4 | 17 | -11 | 31 |
| 17 | Hull City | 32 | 8 | 6 | 18 | -31 | 30 |
| 18 | Swansea City | 32 | 8 | 4 | 20 | -30 | 28 |
| 19 | Middlesbrough | 31 | 4 | 12 | 15 | -15 | 24 |
| 20 | Sunderland | 31 | 5 | 5 | 21 | -32 | 20 |
| PremierLeague.com | |||||||
Recap
United went fifth after establishing control as soon as Zlatan Ibrahimovic lashed in a shot on the turn on 30 minutes. The 35-year-old has been the Red Devils' talisman in attack all season, with Squawka Football summing up how reliant the club has been on the veteran for league goals:
Sunderland had a mountain to climb, but their task got tougher when midfielder Sebastian Larsson was sent off after a studs-up challenge on United's Ander Herrera. The incident marked a disappointing career-first for Swedish playmaker Larsson in England's top flight, according to OptaJoe:
United needed just one minute of the second half to take advantage of playing against 10 men. The visitors doubled their lead when under-fire left-back Luke Shaw released Henrikh Mkhitaryan with a smart low cross. Mkhitaryan didn't waste his chance.
The assist was vindication of sorts for Shaw, who has been subjected to some strong criticism from manager Jose Mourinho more than once recently. Unfortunately for Shaw, his attempts to win his manager over were cut short when he was forced off with injury.
However, Rob Dawson of the Manchester Evening News noted how Mourinho did show some appreciation for Shaw's efforts today:
United still made time for Marcus Rashford to end a 20-game scoring drought in the division. His late goal after being played in by Ibrahimovic added some gloss to the score.
History was always on United's side from the start, though, per Squawka:
Another defeat to United continued one more unwanted streak for Sunderland, according to WhoScored.com:
The Black Cats now appear likely to be playing in the Championship next season. By contrast, United have maintained their push to ensure qualification for next season's UEFA Champions League via a top-four finish in the league.
It's something Everton also haven't give up on just yet after drawing level on points with Arsenal after beating Leicester. The champions were 2-1 up after Islam Slimani and Marc Albrighton cancelled out Tom Davies' opener as part of a three-goal salvo in 10 minutes from both sides.
Phil Jagielka drew Everton level seven minutes ahead of the break before a Romelu Lukaku brace put the hosts in firm control. Sky Sports Statto detailed how Lukaku has become more prolific at home since the calendar turned to 2017:
Lukaku's goals are powering him toward the golden boot. They are also keeping the Toffees just about alive in the top-four race, even though both United and the Gunners have games in hand.
United appear best placed to break in to the top four before the end of the season. Mourinho's squad is deep and Ibrahimovic is a prolific match-winner who gives them a chance in any game.