Ronaldo’s hat-trick saves Man Utd as Spurs, Arsenal slump to defeat

MANCHESTER (AFP): Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick as Manchester United claimed a 3-2 win over Norwich on Saturday to take advantage of defeats for Arsenal and Tottenham in the race for a place in next season's Champions League.

Spurs' winning run was brought to an abrupt halt by a 1-0 home defeat by Brighton, while the Gunners were beaten 1-0 at Southampton to slump to a third consecutive loss.

Ronaldo's 50th club hat-trick tempered a revolt among the fanbase at Old Trafford as United move above Arsenal into fifth on goal difference, three points behind Tottenham.

Brighton halted Tottenham's charge towards the Champions League as Leandro Trossard struck a 90th-minute winner.

But Antonio Conte's men were bailed out by another defeat for Arsenal as they failed to close the gap against a Southampton side that had been thrashed 6-0 by Chelsea last weekend. Brighton were Arsenal's conquerors last time out to snap a seven-game winless run.