How Arsenal eased by Fulham to regain five-point lead at top of Premier League table
Arsenal have comprehensively beaten Fulham 3-0 in a London derby at Craven Cottage to regain their five-point lead over Manchester City.
The visitors did all their damage in the first half as Gabriel opened the scoring with a header from a corner in the 21st minute.
Gabriel Martinelli doubled their lead five minutes later with a header of his own before Martin Odegaard added the third goal in first-half stoppage time.
Gabriel Jesus came on in the 77th minute for his first appearance since suffering an injury during the World Cup in December.
Arsenal have now won five league matches in a row since their defeat to City last month.
Around the Premier League
Two other matches have been played so far today:
Manchester United have drawn 0-0 with Southampton at Old Trafford, with the visitors unable to capitalise on Casemiro's straight red card in the first half. Casemiro is now suspended for the next four matches, as this was his second red card of the season. Southampton earn a vital point but remain in last place.
West Ham United and Aston Villa have drawn 1-1 at London Stadium as Ollie Watkins' opener was cancelled out by Said Benrahma's penalty in the first half. West Ham climb out of the relegation zone into 17th place by virtue of goal difference.
Arsenal own Fulham
Arsenal are now unbeaten in their past 10 Premier League meetings with Fulham (W8 D2) dating back to 2012.
The north London club have won 72 per cent of their PL games against Fulham (23 out of 32), their highest win rate against an opponent they've faced at least 20 times in the competition.
Arsenal dominating London derbies
On paper, Fulham away after a midweek trip to Portugal appeared tricky.
That first half made it look easy. Brilliant football from Arsenal. And what a boost to see Gabriel Jesus back.
Arsenal are now the first team in English Football League history to win five consecutive away London derbies without conceding a goal.
Fulham's performance
Easy street for Arsenal. A result that Fulham feared against the league leaders and with Palhinha's absence.
Arsenal great, but first half was poor from the hosts. They improved in the second half, had a go, created some chances. But by then the game was over.
Now to focus on the FA Cup.
This follows a trend of performances which have felt a bit jaded in recent weeks. Fulham can do with the international break, just to reset and go again. Their next league game is not until April 1, when a 'better' run of fixtures begin.
FT: Fulham 0-3 Arsenal
Fulham were better in the second half but it was too little, too late to overcome the damage Arsenal inflicted in the first half.
Injury time
90+1' Fulham 0-3 Arsenal
Three minutes are added on to the end of the match. Arsenal look much the likelier side to score at this moment.
Jesus in action
G. Jesus in action.
88' Fulham 0-3 Arsenal
Arsenal fans have waited since November 12 to see this sight.
Chance for Jesus!
85' Fulham 0-3 Arsenal
It's nearly a dream return for Jesus, who takes a lay off from Vieira and shoots but sees his effort blocked by Leno's trailing leg.
'We are top of the league'
84' Fulham 0-3 Arsenal
A confident chant heard from the away end. Not only will this victory restore Arsenal's five-point lead at the top of the table, but at the moment it has also reduced Manchester City's advantage in goal difference to five, which could prove crucial at the end of the season.
G. Jesus returns to action
77' Fulham 0-3 Arsenal
Trossard and Martinelli are replaced by Vieira and Jesus, who receives a warm reception from the travelling Arsenal fans as he makes his first appearance since the World Cup.
Fulham's chance
73' Fulham 0-3 Arsenal
It was Mitrovic who hit the bar, who raises both arms in frustration afterwards. Inches away from a much needed goal, top effort that.
Fulham hit the bar!
69' Fulham 0-3 Arsenal
De Cordova-Reid hits a powerful strike towards the far post, but Ramsdale gets down really well to parry the ball away.
On an ensuing corner, Fulham get a free header but hit the bar!
Martinelli nearly scores lovely team goal
66' Fulham 0-3 Arsenal
Arsenal construct a beautiful team move than ends with Xhaka laying the ball off for Martinelli, who sees his shot blocked by a last-ditch tackle.
Gabriel's goal
25' Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
Simple enough. Corner delivered into the six-yard box, Gabriel rises highest to score.
Poor one to concede for Fulham. Gabriel scored a very similar goal here on his Premier League debut on Arsenal's last league visit in 2020.
Saliba tries his luck
25' Fulham 0-1 Arsenal.
Saliba tries a shot from well beyond the box. It's not a bad effort but it flies well over the target. A sign of Arsenal's confidence at the moment, a centre-back trying a shot like that.
Arsenal goal ruled out
16' Fulham 0-0 Arsenal
Xhaka releases Martinelli with a brilliant pass. He hits a shot that Leno does really well to save, but the rebound is immediately steered back into goal by Antonee Robinson, who had little chance to get out of the way.
VAR spares the full-back's blushes though, as Martinelli was offside.
Arsenal team news
Gabriel Jesus is available on the bench for Arsenal for the first time since his injury during the World Cup.
After rotating for the match against Sporting Lisbon midweek, Mikel Arteta reverts to his strongest XI, with Leandro Trossard leading the line as Eddie Nketiah remains out injured.
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