Arsenal secure fourth and Champions League spot

One thing was settled in the Premier League on Saturday, and that was the Champions League spots. After spending most of the season scrapping to stay in the top four Arsenal have finally shown the chasing pack a clean pair of heels with a late season show of form, and cannot now be caught by fifth placed Aston Villa.

Qualification came thanks to an emphatic 3-0 win at Portsmouth. The goals came from Nicklas Bendtner with two - one from the penalty spot after Andrei Arshavin went down although the Russian appeared to say he had not been fouled - and Carlos Vela, who wrapped things up with the third in the second half.

Portsmouth, who had Noe Pamarot sent off late in the game, are now seven points above the relegation zone and have three games to play.

Chelsea kept the pressure on second placed Liverpool by moving level with them on points after a comfortable 3-1 win over their London rivals Fulham, whose European hopes were dealt a blow.

The Blues made a lightning start as Nicolas Anelka scored in the first minute, but Erik Nevland levelled just three minutes later.

Florent Malouda put Chelsea back in front after only 10 minutes and Didier Drogba made the game safe in the second half.

It was a fine display from Guus Hiddink's men that will put them in a positive frame of mind before the Champions League clash with Barcelona on Wednesday.

Manchester City showed their European credentials as they cruised to victory over a Blackburn side that are not yet safe from the threat of relegation.

Two defensive errors, both after corners from Elano corners, allowed first Felipe Caicedo and then Robinho to score. Elano added the third from the penalty spot after a handball from Gael Givet.

Keith Andrews pulled one back when he fired home the rebound after Shay Given saved an El-Hadji Diouf penalty in the second half.

West Brom are all but down after they lost 1-0 at Tottenham. The goal came from Jermaine Jenas, who fired home from 25 yards at the end of the first half and leaves West Brom seven points from safety with nine to play for.

West Ham maintained seventh place in the league, and kept themselves on course for a European birth with a win over Stoke that came thanks to a spectacular first half strike from Diego Tristan.

Stoke appear to be safe from the drop and may have dropped their guard, which could explain how the Hammers became only the fourth side to win at the Britannia Stadium this season.

The only other game on Saturday was a 0-0 draw between Wigan and Bolton. ·