ARSENAL WITHSTOOD A second-half onslaught from West Ham to boost their Champions League charge with a 2-1 victory at Upton Park on Sunday.
Arsene Wenger’s side secured their second successive win over the festive period to move up to fifth in the Premier League, behind fourth placed Southampton only on goal difference.
West Ham, surprise contenders for the coveted European places, had been punching above their weight all season but back-to-back defeats have dented their challenge heading into 2015.
They were undone by two goals in three minutes late in the first half by Santi Cazorla and Danny Welbeck.
Senegal midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate scored his first West Ham goal to give the hosts renewed hope in the second half but, despite mounting pressure, the Gunners held on for a hard-fought win.
Elsewhere, Crystal Palace began life without sacked manager Neil Warnock by drawing 0-0 at Queens Park Rangers, which kept the Selhurst Park club in the bottom three.
Bottom team Leicester City gave their chances of avoiding relegation a shot in the arm by winning 1-0 at Hull City, with Riyad Mahrez’s 32nd-minute strike leaving his side three points from safety.
Late red cards for Leicester’s Paul Konchesky and Hull’s Stephen Quinn meant that both sides finished the game with 10 men.
Senegalese striker Mame Biram Diouf scored twice as Stoke City beat West Bromwich Albion 2-0, while Fabian Delph was sent off as Aston Villa drew 0-0 at home to Sunderland.
