Arsenal brushed London rivals Fulham aside in their Premier League encounter on Sunday afternoon.
The 3-0 victory at the Craven Cottage saw the Gunners restore their five-point lead over Manchester City.
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Mikel Arteta’s men thought they had taken the lead in the 16th minute after Antonee Robinson put the ball in his own net after Gabriel Martinelli’s initial shot was saved by Bernd Leno. The ball had hit an onrushing Robinson, who could not help himself but put the ball in the back of the net.
However, after VAR checks, the goal was ruled out for an initial offside.
Arsenal were back knocking again in the 19th minute as Granit Xhaka’s shot was saved by Leno.
Gabriel Magalhaes then put the Gunners ahead in the 21st minute, his third of the season, after Ben White appeared to have impeded Leno while Leandro Trossard put his corner into the box.
Arsenal doubled their lead in the 26th minute through Martinelli after Trossard, again, provided the assist. The Brazilian made it five goals in five appearances and his 12th in the season for the North Londoners.
Trossard was again in the thick of the action in the 35th minute after he played a quick one-two with Xhaka, but the latter’s attempt ended in Leno’s hands. Tosin Adarabioyo had given the ball away to start the Gunners’ attack.
Fulham almost got back in the game when Aaron Ramsdale gave the ball away, but Andreas Perreira’s attempt floated over the bar.
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Arsenal bagged their third goal after a brilliant team move ended with Martin Odegaard sending a thumping shot past Leno in the 46th minute. Trossard supplied the assist to become the first player in the Premier League to have a hat-trick of assists in the first half of an away game.
Fulham did better in the second half, but their closes chance fell to Aleksandar Mitrovic, who slammed his header straight at the bar.
Arsenal restored their five-point lead at the summit, while Fulham are eighth with 39 points.
Other results
Manchester United vs Southampton
A very entertaining match ended 0-0 at Old Trafford. However, Southampton had more attempts at goal.
The game tilted in Southampton’s favour after Casemiro was red-carded for a serious tackle in the 34th minute.
The Saints saw brilliant free-kick taker, James Ward-Prowse, lose two chances to put them ahead, while Kyle Walker-Peters saw his fantastic attempt crash off against the post. Theo Walcott also broke free in a counter-attack, but David De Gea saved his tame shot.
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United also had chances, but Gavin Bazunu was up to the task of denying them.
Manchester United are third with 50 points, while Southampton are rooted to the bottom with 22 points.
West Ham United vs Aston Villa
The match ended 1-1 at the London Stadium.
Ollie Watkins put the visiting Villa in front in the 17th minute after he headed home Alex Moreno’s beautiful cross.
West Ham drew level through Said Benrahma’s penalty kick after Leon Bailey tripped Lucas Paqueta in the box.
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West Ham are 17th, with 24 points, while Aston Villa are 11th, with 35 points.
