United clings to five-point lead ahead of Everton clash
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Manchester United, clinging to first place in the English Premier League with a five-point lead, resumes its quest for a 20th league title on Sunday with a home tilt against Everton.
Jonny Evans, who has enjoyed some superb personal form over the course of the season, stressed the importance of closing out the campaign on a high, starting with the Toffees on Sunday.
"It would be nice to think we can almost touch another winners' medal but we can't think about that yet," the defender told United's official website. "It can change in just a couple of days.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Five points sounds a lot but it isn't when you think about it. We have to concentrate on getting over the Everton game first and still being five points clear when we play Manchester City [on April 30]."
The Red Devils had an eight-point lead over the Citizens not too long ago, but the reigning champions faltered in a trip to Wigan, losing 1-0 at the DW Stadium. United responded in impressive fashion, earning a 4-0 victory over Aston Villa at Old Trafford last time out.
Everton is also in a strong run of form as the Toffees have taken 10 points from their last four league games. It has been a largely successful year for the Merseyside club - it occupies seventh place in the Premier League - but the Toffees came away disappointed from their last result, a 2-1 loss to bitter rivals Liverpool in the semifinals of the FA Cup.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Liverpool has experienced a great deal of success in cup competitions this season, winning the Carling Cup and reaching the FA Cup final, but it has come at the expense of its Premier League season as the club has fallen to eighth place on 46 points, 36 points off the pace of first-place Manchester United. The Reds will also be in action on Sunday as Kenny Dalglish's side will look to get back on track in its home match against West Bromwich.
Manchester City also takes the pitch on Sunday and the Citizens will need three points to stay within touching distance of Manchester United. Roberto Mancini's men will head to Molineux to face last-place Wolverhampton.
Saturday's action is highlighted by the always-entertaining London derby. Arsenal, coming off of a disappointing 2-1 home loss to Wigan, could be poised for three points at the Emirates as Chelsea may have one eye on its second-leg Champions League semifinal against Barcelona on Tuesday.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The race for fourth place in the Premier League is heating up as well. Tottenham and Newcastle are tied on 59 points for the Champions League qualification spot, but Spurs holds the edge with a superior goal differential. Both sides return to action on Saturday as Tottenham heads to QPR and Newcastle hosts Stoke City.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Martin O'Neill will make his return to Villa Park when Sunderland heads to Aston Villa, Blackburn welcomes Norwich City to Ewood Park, Bolton and Swansea City meet at the Reebok Stadium, and in-form Wigan goes to Craven Cottage for a date with Fulham.