Arsenal won a 1-0 victory over struggling Fulham, continuing their lead at the top of the Premier League, which had been threatened earlier by Manchester City.
A game that had seen Fulham, who are now on a three-game losing streak, dominate the opening period at Craven Cottage on Saturday was ended by Leandro Trossard’s tap-in in the 58th minute.
Recommended Stories
list of 4 itemsend of list
Prior to the late kickoff of the London derby in the west of the capital, Manchester City had won with a 2-0 victory at home to Everton.
Arsenal is now three points clear of Liverpool at the top, but defending champions Liverpool could only manage one point if they beat Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday.
Prior to the international break, Fulham had lost to Aston Villa and Bournemouth, but Raul Jimenez and Harry Wilson both put the keeper on the edge with drag-off efforts that should have put the keeper on the spot.
In contrast, Arsenal had some enjoyable possession moments, but they were unable to put their former keeper Bernd Leno to the test in the opening 30 minutes of Fulham’s goal.
Instead of nearly outwitting the odds when Tom Cairney rifled a shot back across the face from a corner into the Fulham goalkeeper’s face, there were too many bodies in the way, preventing Arsenal from intercepting the goal-bound effort.
Victor Gyokeres, who had endured a painfully slow start due to a lack of service, received the first sign of the record. The Swedish striker found space in the box, but his low drive was comfortably parried clear at a tight angle.
The final kick of the half was when Declan Rice fired a trademark drive from range, but Leno was cemented to the spot as a result of a curl from his instep that fell just wide of the post.
At the start of the second period, Bukayo Saka shimmed in from the right and stabbed the ball in the direction of the goal. After kicking the ball in his own net on the line, a Fulham bundle swung the danger away.
However, it wasn’t until the breakthrough that Gabriel reached when he pressed Saka’s corner with his thigh, which Trossard had already slammed in with.
After VAR asked Anthony Taylor to review his decision after substitute Kevin clearly played the ball first, Saka nearly doubled the lead with a low drive that Leno skillfully turned wide.
Fulham were unable to withstand the challenge in the second period despite the respite.
Man City hopes to reclaim the top of the Premier League.
Erling Haaland continued his erratic scoring trend with two goals in five second-half minutes, lifting City temporarily to the top with a victory over Everton.
After eight games, Pep Guardiola’s men improved to 16 points, dropping Liverpool and Arsenal to second and third, respectively. On 11 points, Everton dropped to 10th place.
The 25-year-old Haaland broke the deadlock with a header from the left that he leapt into from the left and headed home Nico O’Reilly’s cross in 11th consecutive games for the club and country for a season-high 23 goals.
Five minutes later, the Norwegian doubled City’s lead when he jumped off Savinho’s cross and fired a blistering left-foot shot past Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, which was slightly deflected by Everton’s James Tarkowski.
With three excellent chances in the final minutes, Pickford raced out with his legs to save two of Haaland’s. On the third try, Haaland tipped Pickford, but his wildly angled loop shot from a dangerous angle slammed wide of the net.
Haaland shook his head in resentment as the crowd chanted “Haaland! ” Haaland”! for his efforts.
Phil Foden, a City official, praised Haaland for breaking the deadlock, calling it “very significant.”
“We are aware that he has that quality, that he runs to the top and is in the right place.” He still has a chance to score, and we know he only needs one chance to do so if they decide to leave him out of the game.
He remained patient, saying that today there wasn’t much room for him. And as you can see, he is always there for us when it counts as a top striker.
Everton winger Jack Grealish, who was unable to face his parent club, did not receive an emotional homecoming. Grealish was captured on a TV camera watching the game, but David Moyes’ team was left with a hole in the absence of the league’s joint assist leader.
City, who completely dominated the second half, had 19 shots to Everton’s five and 7 shots on target to City’s one.
A few chances were wasted by Everton. Iliman Ndiaye scurried down the right before sending a cross to Beto, who slid to the ball and lobbed it wide.
