LONDON:
Arsenal remain two points clear at the top of the Premier League thanks to a 1-0 win at Leicester on Saturday. Manchester City they maintained their pursuit of the Gunners by beating Bournemouth 4-1.
Gabriel Martinelli is the winner-winner for Arsenal at the King Power Stadium in a game dominated by the visitors.
“For most of the time we controlled the ball, the territory and the number of positions we had in the final third, we should have done more and scored more goals,” said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
“When you don’t, you have to be exceptional in your defensive work and we had one. Defensively we were outstanding.”
Arteta’s decision to start both Martinelli and Leandro Trossard in the front three at the expense of Eddie Nketiah paid dividends.
Trossard’s first-half header into the top corner was ruled out by a VAR review for a foul by Ben White on Leicester goalkeeper Danny Ward.
But Martinelli wasn’t allowed a minute into the second period when he calmly headed home from Trossard’s pass.
Bukayo Saka had a second goal that was not to be confirmed as Arsenal failed to turn their possession into a more convincing goal.
City were also guilty of being ruthless in front of goal in the 1-1 draw away to Nottingham Forest and RB Leipzig last week.
But the defending champions put Bournemouth to the sword to cut the gap at the top back to two points.
Julian Alvarez, Erling Haaland and Phil Foden were all on target for Pep Guardiola’s side before half-time.
Alvarez’s shot was turned into his own net by Chris Mepham early in the second half.
But City have now gone six games without a clean sheet as Jefferson Lerma grabbed a consolation for the Cherries, who fell into the relegation zone.
Leeds have not won a league game since the World Cup break, a run that ended Jesse Marsch.
But they snapped that streak in a clash between the bottom two before kick-off at Elland Road.
Junior Firpo scored one goal 13 minutes from time to lift Leeds from the bottom three.
“The club needed it after 10 games without a win,” said Gracia after his first game.
“I am very happy for all the people who work for the club, the fans and especially the players because they worked without rewards.”
West Ham were the other big winners of the day in the battle to beat the drop as four goals in the final 20 minutes saved David Moyes’ job with a 4-0 win at Nottingham Forest.
According to reports this week, the former manager of Manchester United faced the sack if the Hammers lost.
Two goals in three minutes from Danny Ings changed the mood at the London Stadium before Declan Rice and Michail Antonio sealed West Ham’s second win since October.
Everton slipped back into the drop zone after losing 2-0 at home to Aston Villa.
Ollie Watkins’ penalty and Emi Buendia’s strike condemned Sean Dyche to a first home defeat since taking charge of the Toffees.
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