Manchester United cemented their place in the Premier League's top four with a commanding 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Goals from Antony and Diogo Dalot handed United the victory, although a number of wasted chances suggested the lead could well have been a healthier one. Nevertheless, the three points were all the more vital, given defeats for both Newcastle and Tottenham on Saturday.
Eddie Howe's side were comfortably beaten 3-0 at Aston Villa, while Tottenham lost at home to Bournemouth thanks to a 95th-minute winner. It means Erik ten Hag's side are now six points clear of sixth-placed Spurs and three above the Magpies.
RATINGS: Eriksen and Fernandes good in win vs Forest
Elsewhere, the aforementioned Villa took another step towards a late European charge, while Brighton's win at Chelsea further strengthened their claim for continental competition - Liverpool face Leeds United at Elland Road on Monday evening.
Here are United's next six fixtures compared with those of their nearest rivals.
Manchester United - 3rd (59pts)
- Tottenham Hotspur (A) - April 27
- Aston Villa (H) - April 30
- Brighton & Hove Albion (A) - May 4
- West Ham United (A) - May 7
- Wolves (H) - May 13
- Bournemouth (A) - May 20
Verdict: A vital three points at the City Ground have put United in the driving seat, and Ten Hag knows his side will kick off against Tottenham in a fortnight's time in the top-four - Spurs and Newcastle play each other next weekend when the Reds are in FA Cup action.
United's next three league fixtures present a season-defining run, with all three of Tottenham, Brighton and Villa vying for European football themselves. The Reds' away record against top-half sides reads six defeats from seven and Ten Hag must turn that around quickly.
Should the Reds come through that period relatively unscathed, then they will see West Ham, Wolves and Bournemouth as three necessary wins, and they could be helped by all three pulling slightly away from the drop zone in recent weeks.
Newcastle United - 4th (56pts)
- Tottenham Hotspur (H) - April 23
- Everton (A) - April 27
- Southampton (H) - April 30
- Arsenal (H) - May 7
- Leeds United (A) - May 13
- Leicester City (H) - May 20
Tottenham Hotspur - 5th (53pts)
- Newcastle United (A) - April 23
- Manchester United (H) - April 27
- Liverpool (A) - April 30
- Crystal Palace (H) - May 6
- Aston Villa (A) - May 13
- Brentford (H) - May 20
Aston Villa - 6th (50pts)
- Brentford (A) - April 22
- Fulham (H) - April 25
- Manchester United (A) - April 30
- Wolves (A) - May 6
- Tottenham (H) - May 13
- Liverpool (A) May 20
Brighton & Hove Albion - 7th (49pts)
- Nottingham Forest (A) - April 26
- Wolves (H) - April 29
- Manchester United (H) - May 4
- Everton (H) - May 8
- Arsenal (A) - May 13
- Southampton (H) - May 20
Liverpool - 8th (44 pts)
- Leeds United (A) - April 17
- Nottingham Forest (H) - April 22
- West Ham (A) - April 26
- Tottenham (H) - April 30
- Fulham (H) - May 3
- Brentford (H) - May 6
*All fixtures and dates are subject to change.
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