Javi Gracia and Leeds United were handed a Premier League lifeline without even kicking a football on Wednesday evening. The Whites new head coach got his Elland Road tenure off to the best possible start with a win over fellow strugglers Southampton.
The result moved the Whites out of the relegation zone, above Bournemouth and Everton with one point between them and the bottom three. The Toffees handed Leeds another opportunity to pull away from the drop zone as Sean Dyche's side were well beaten by league leaders Arsenal this evening.
The Gunners ran riot on home soil to move five points clear at the top of the table, with goals from Bukayo Saka, a brace from Gabriel Martinelli and a Martin Odegaard strike ensuring there would be no repeat of Everton's win at Goodison Park.
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That result keeps Leeds' cushion to the bottom three intact. Elsewhere, the Whites weren't cut adrift by fellow strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Julen Lopetegui's side were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool at Anfield. Goals from Virgil Van Dijk and Mo Salah gave Jurgen Klopp's side a much-needed win in their quest for Champions League football.
Wolves stay two points ahead of the Whites on 24 points, having played a game more. Leeds have a better goal difference than the Midlands side who are on minus 17, while the Whites are on minus ten.
Next up for Gracia's side is a trip to Stamford Bridge to face an out-of-sorts Chelsea side on Saturday afternoon.
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