Premier League: Arsenal open five point lead; Liverpool continue revival
Gabriel Martinelli scored twice as Arsenal thrashed a troubled Everton 4-0 at The Emirates to move five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.
Bukayo Saka broke the deadlock five minutes before half-time with his 10th goal of the season before Martinelli added a second in stoppage-time. Martin Odegaard made it three after the restart and Martinelli completed the rout, as the Gunners turned on the style in front of their jubilant supporters.
The convincing win gives Mikel Arteta’s side some breathing space as they chase down a first league title since 2003/04.
Arsenal had been largely frustrated by Sean Dyche’s charges in the first half; despite dominating possession, they had managed just one shot with 40 minutes on the clock. But then, an almighty outpour of relief – Oleksandr Zinchenko slipped a cute pass into the feet of Saka and after a couple of nice touches he buried it past Jordan Pickford from a tight angle.
Martinelli had the ball in the back of the net once more before half-time after Saka robbed Idrissa Gueye, but the home side’s joy was short-lived as the offside flag was immediately raised. However, following a quick VAR check, the goal was given, and Arsenal had a healthy lead at the break.
Chances were at a premium after the restart, but again Arsenal showed they had the clinical touch as Odegaard made it 3-0, finishing with aplomb from Leandro Trossard’s cross, before substitute Eddie Nketiah laid on Martinelli to wrap up the scoring.
The victory means, with 13 games left, Arsenal have 60 points, five more than second-placed Man City with the same number of matches played. Everton, meanwhile, remain in the bottom three having played a game more than their rivals.
Liverpool moved to within six points of the Premier League’s top four as second-half goals from Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah guided them to a 2-0 win over a stubborn Wolves side at Anfield.
Liverpool’s 5-2 thrashing at the hands of Real Madrid last week had created a sense of doom and gloom around Anfield, but Jurgen Klopp’s side went into their fixture against Wolves after picking up seven points from their last three league games without conceding a goal.
And the Reds maintained that resurgent form thanks to two of the players that have helped to define Klopp’s Anfield reign, with Van Dijk finally breaking the deadlock in the 73rd minute when he headed in Diogo Jota’s cross from close range.
Salah then sealed the points just four minutes later when he turned in Kostas Tsimikas’ low ball into the Wolves area to move Liverpool up to sixth, while the visitors remain only three points above the relegation zone.
Manchester United visit Liverpool in the Premier League at Anfield on Sunday with Wolves hosting Tottenham on Saturday at Molineux.
