Arsenal scored three goals in the last five minutes to beat Norwich City 3-1 and move third in the Premier League yesterday while Everton won 2-0 at QPR to maintain their faint top-four aspirations.

Norwich’s Michael Turner opened the scoring and looked to have set up a shock victory at the Emirates Stadium before Mikel Arteta levelled from the penalty spot, Olivier Giroud slid in from close range and Lukas Podolski put the result beyond doubt.

Arsenal are now one point clear of London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur in fourth and fifth, and four ahead of Everton in sixth who had Darron Gibson and Victor Anichebe to thank for their win over QPR.

QPR stay seven points adrift of safety in 19th, level on points with Reading who earned a point with a 0-0 draw at home to Liverpool.

After a difficult start to the season when their top-four hopes were largely written off, Arsenal have now taken 25 points from 30.

Apart from a home clash with Manchester United, the Gunners look to have a favourable run-in compared to their rivals.

QPR’s unlikely hopes of staving off relegation were dealt a blow by an Everton side still entertaining an implausible late charge into the top four.

Everton took the lead in the 40th minute when a Gibson shot from distance took a wicked deflection of QPR’s Clint Hill and beat Julio Cesar in goal for the Premier League strugglers.

The home team ended the contest when Anichebe latched on to a knockdown from Sylvain Distin to flick home 11 minutes after the restart. Everton are now unbeaten in their last five league games.