Arsenal restore five point lead with impressive win at Fulham
Arsenal restored their five-point advantage at the top of the Premier League standings over reigning Champions Manchester City as they cruised to a 3-0 win victor over Fulham on Sunday afternoon.
After City won at Crystal Palace on Saturday, the onus was on Arsenal on respond and the Gunners did, in stunning fashion. January signing Leandro Trossard grabbed a hattrick of assists in the first half as Mikel Arteta’s side blew apart their London rivals.
Arsenal score three in first half
The Gunners dominated Fulham right from the get-go, showing their superiority in every blade of grass at Craven Cottage. Gabriel Magalhaes gave Arsenal the lead in the 21st minute with a powering header past Bernd Leno following Trossard’s in-swinging corner.
The league leaders doubled their lead five minutes later when Trossard, once again displaying his trickery on the wings, crossed for Gabriel Martinelli who headed home with aplomb. The Brazilian had a goal ruled out by VAR inside the first 20 minutes, but he finally got his name on the scoresheet as Arsenal stamped their authority on the game.
Two soon became three in first-half stoppage time when Trossard once again chipped in a cross for Martin Odegaard to create an opening for the visitors. The Norwegian first chested it down before curling his effort in the bottom corner as Arsenal went into the break with a commanding lead.
Gabriel Jesus returns
The hosts improved in the second half and should have had a consolation when defender Tosin Adarabioyo headed against the crossbar. The Gunners also received a welcome boost in their quest for the title as striker Gabriel Jesus returned after a successful knee injury in December.
It was almost a dream return for the 25-year-old but his shot from the edge of the box was well gathered by Leno as Fulham restricted their visitors to any further humiliation. The result means that Arteta’s side have now won their last five league games and boast of 66 points from 27 games with 11 left to play.
Fulham meanwhile have lost two successive league games and stay eighth with 39 points, still eyeing a European spot at the end of the season.
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