LONDON, May 4: Everton missed the chance to confirm a place in next season’s UEFA Cup when they were beaten 1-0 by Arsenal in the English Premier League on Sunday.

Nicklas Bendtner headed the only goal after 77 minutes at the Emirates stadium against a stubborn Everton side who needed just a draw to guarantee finishing fifth.

Defeat meant Everton can be overtaken by Aston Villa if they lose at home to Newcastle United on the final day of the league season next Sunday. Villa need to win at West Ham United to have any chance of overhauling Everton.

Liverpool, knocked out of the Champions League by Chelsea on Wednesday, won their final home Premier League game, Fernando Torres notching his 32nd goal of the season in all competitions to earn a 1-0 victory over Manchester City.

Both matches had a distinct end-of-season feel about them, although Everton had most at stake.

Arsenal, for whom goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was playing his last home game for the club, showed little urgency in the second half before Armand Traore’s great run and cross gave Bendtner the chance to power in the winner. Arsenal, who have 80 points, can still finish second.

Chelsea, who have 81, play at Newcastle on Monday knowing defeat would hand the title to Manchester United.

The hosts had several chances to go ahead with Dirk Kuyt being denied by City keeper Joe Hart and hitting the bar with another headed effort.

Elano struck the woodwork for City with a swerving free kick before Torres broke the deadlock just before the hour mark, accelerating into the penalty area and angling a shot past Hart.

Results:

Played on Sunday:

Arsenal 1 Everton 0

Liverpool 1 Manchester City 0

Played on Saturday:

Aston Villa 0 Wigan Athletic 2

Blackburn Rovers 3 Derby County 1

Bolton Wanderers 2 Sunderland 0

Fulham 2 Birmingham City 0

Manchester United 4 West Ham United 1

Middlesbrough 2 Portsmouth 0

Reading 0 Tottenham Hotspur 1

Playing on Monday:

Newcastle United v Chelsea (1500 GMT).

—Reuters