Arsenal and Tottenham aided their challenge for a place in the Champions League next season with victories in the Premier League on Saturday.

Arsenal hammered strugglers Reading 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners took the lead on 11 minutes, as Gervinho scored from close-range after a Santi Cazorla’s cross-shot found the Ivory Coast international. Arsenal doubled their lead early in the second half.

Gervinho laid the ball onto Cazorla on the edge of the area and the Spaniard stroked home a superb effort. Arsenal scored their third in the 67^th minute. Gervinho found Olivier Giroud, who drilled a low shot past Stuart Taylor in the Reading goal.

The Royals got a goal back just a minute later, Robson Hal-Kanu heading home from a Jobi McAnuff cross at the far post. Arsenal completed the rout in the 77^th minute. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was brought down in the penalty area and Mikel Arteta scored from the resulting spot kick.

The victory put Arsenal within two points of the top four places. Reading have now slipped to the bottom of the Premier League table.

Elsewhere, Tottenham won 2-1 at Swansea to move up to third in the Premier League table. Defender Jan Vertonghen gave Spurs the lead in the 7^th minute controlling the ball like a striker and prodding past Michel Vorm in the Swansea goal.

The visitors doubled their lead on 27 minutes. Vertonghen found Gareth Bale who lashed home a superb powerful effort past Vorm. Swansea didn’t really get going until the second half and got a goal back in the 71^st minute. Michu headed home from a corner to put the Swans back into the contest.

However, the home side couldn’t find an equaliser and Tottenham returned to north London with maximum points.

Other Premier League results:

Sunderland 0-1 Manchester United

Manchester City 4-0 Newcastle

Wigan 1-0 Norwich

West Ham 3-1 West Brom

Southampton 2-1 Chelsea

Everton 1-0 Stoke

Who will win the race for the top four places in the Premier League?