Arsenal survives tough Burnley test

Burnley, England (SportsNetwork.com) - Arsenal captured its eighth successive win on Saturday, but it wasn't easy as the Gunners used a first-half goal from Aaron Ramsey to edge Burnley, 1-0, at Turf Moor.

Burnley was soundly beaten 3-0 at Arsenal earlier this season, but the Clarets proved to be a stubborn side on Saturday and made Arsene Wenger's men earn all three points.

The result moves Arsenal to within four points of leaders Chelsea, which still has two games in hand, while Burnley remains in 19th place and one point from safety.

Arsenal got off the mark 12 minutes into the match as Mesut Ozil had a shot saved by Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton, while a rebound attempt from Alexis Sanchez was also blocked. However, the ball ended up on the foot of Ramsey and he lashed it into the roof of the net from eight yards.

Kieran Trippier tested Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina with a well-struck free kick from 25 yards, while Santi Cazorla saw a set piece of his own narrowly sail past the left post of Heaton's goal.

Arsenal was controlling much of the possession and looked relatively comfortable for much of the second half, but Burnley squandered a great chance in the 69th minute when Ben Mee's low cross managed to elude George Boyd in front of goal.

Danny Ings also had an acrobatic effort stopped Ospina a few minutes later, and Arsenal held on to ensure the club ends the weekend in second place.

Aston Villa secured a massive 1-0 win at Tottenham on Saturday courtesy of a 35th-minute goal from Christian Benteke that moves the Villains six points clear of the relegation places.

Southampton took advantage of Tottenham's defeat by climbing into fifth place with a 2-0 victory over Hull City as James Ward-Prowse and Graziano Pelle scored second-half goals.

Last-place Leicester City scored twice in the final 10 minutes for a 3-2 comeback win at West Bromwich that moves the club to within two points of safety.

Marko Arnautovic scored in the 90th minute to help Stoke City claim a 1-1 draw at West Ham, Yannick Bolasie scored a hat trick in a 4-1 Crystal Palace win at Sunderland and Everton finished in a 1-1 draw at Swansea City as the hosts equalized in the 69th minute with a Jonjo Shelvey penalty kick.