Olivier Giroud ensured Arsenal will finish 2013 on top of the Premier League as his second half goal clinched a 1-0 win against Newcastle yesterday.

Arsene Wenger's side had surrendered first place after Manchester City's 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, but just 24 hours later the Gunners reclaimed pole position with a hard-fought victory at St James' Park.

Giroud's first goal since November 23 was enough to give Arsenal its second successive win and move it one point ahead of second placed City heading into the new year.

Arsenal, which was without German playmaker Mesut Ozil, was under pressure early on and Wojciech Szczesny had to tip over Moussa Sissoko's effort, while Mathieu Debuchy's header hit the crossbar from the resulting corner.

But France forward Giroud bagged his 11th goal of the season with a glancing header from Theo Walcott's free-kick in the 65th minute.

Wenger's team then survived a late barrage of Newcastle pressure, with Loic Remy coming closest to an equalizer when Szczesny's clearance cannoned into his head and rebounded just wide.

In the day's other early kick-off, Everton climbed into the top four with a 2-1 win over Southampton at Goodison Park.

Romelu Lukaku's winner meant Roberto Martinez's side moved above Liverpool into fourth place, although the Reds can reclaim that spot with a draw or win at Chelsea later yesterday.

Irish defender Seamus Coleman opened the scoring for Everton with a fine strike in the ninth minute.

The Toffees were rocked in the 71st minute when Adam Lallana picked out Gaston Ramirez and the Southampton star advanced before smashing a dipping shot past Everton keeper Joel Robles.

But on-loan Chelsea striker Lukaku struck three minutes later to seal Everton's third win in their last four matches.

On Saturday, Manchester United closed to within two points of the Champions League places after recording a sixth consecutive victory in all competitions with a 1-0 win at Norwich City.

The defending champion was without Wayne Rooney due to a groin injury and needed the half-time introduction of Danny Welbeck to secure victory at Carrow Road.

David Moyes's side had labored until then but in the 57th minute a favorable ricochet off Javier Hernandez set Welbeck free and he rounded England teammate John Ruddy before sliding in the winning goal.

"He changed the game when he came on," Moyes said.

Cardiff City began life after Malky Mackay, sacked from his post as manager on Friday, with an agonising 2-2 draw at home to bottom club Sunderland.

Cardiff remains in 16th place in the table, two points above the relegation places, while Sunderland inched to within two points of safety.

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