IT'S TIME TO GO WENGER.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger had to endure calls for his departure as his side beat a Norwich team whose Premier League future looks increasingly bleak.

Fans protested inside and outside the Emirates Stadium, voicing frustrations at their team’s failure to mount a title challenge in recent years.

There was little for Arsenal to cheer until substitute Danny Welbeck put the Gunners ahead with a crisp half-volley.

Norwich had chances – twice Petr Cech stopped Nathan Redmond from scoring.

But for all their endeavour, Norwich left north London with nothing and with Newcastle beating Crystal Palace and Sunderland securing a draw against Stoke earlier in the day, their hopes of climbing out of the relegation zone looks increasingly precarious.

They are now second from bottom with three games remaining and two points adrift of Newcastle, who moved out of the bottom three thanks to their win over Palace.

Meanwhile, Newcastle moved out of the relegation zone as Andros Townsend’s strike and a penalty save by Karl Darlow helped them to victory over Crystal Palace.

With Norwich playing at Arsenal later and Sunderland drawing at Stoke, the Magpies moved into 17th – a point clear of the Black Cats.

Townsend gave Newcastle the lead after the break with a magnificent 20-yard free-kick.

Darlow then came to the rescue when he saved Yohan Cabaye’s poor penalty.

They had been written off by pundits and even some of their fans had stopped believing but, on a sunny spring day at St James’ Park, Newcastle provided another twist in this fascinating Premier League season.

Until the second half it had been an error-ridden display by the Magpies, whose midfield were overrun by their Palace counterparts.

However, as they have in recent matches, Newcastle improved tenfold after the break and it was their January signing Townsend who caused the ground to erupt in the 58th minute when he cracked home a stunning free-kick from the right, reports the BBC.

It was his fourth in 11 games for his new team – more than the three in 50 he managed for Tottenham.

And Jermain Defoe’s stoppage-time penalty rescued a dramatic point for Sunderland at Stoke, but Newcastle’s win means the Black Cats drop into the bottom three.

Marko Arnautovic gave Stoke a controversial lead, firing home after Peter Crouch held off Black Cats defender Younes Kaboul inside the box.

Sunderland struggled to create chances in response, until Geoff Cameron tangled with Defoe in the 93rd minute.

Referee Craig Pawson pointed to the spot and Defoe stepped up to fire home.

Newcastle’s win over Palace means Sunderland are now a point adrift of safety, although they have a game in hand over their north-east rivals.

EPL RESULTS

Arsenal 1 – 0 Norwich

Everton  2 – 1 Bournemouth

Newcastle 1 – 0 Crystal Palace

Stoke 1 – 1 Sunderland

Watford 3 – 2 Aston Villa

West Brom 0 – 3 West Ham