Arsenal secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Fulham in a tense match at Craven Cottage, maintaining their position at the top of the Premier League. The win came after Manchester City had briefly taken the lead earlier in the day with a 2-0 home win against Everton.
Leandro Trossard’s goal in the 58th minute proved decisive, as it turned a game where Fulham had dominated the first half. The Cottagers, now on a three-match losing streak, struggled to convert their chances, while Arsenal endured a frustrating opening period.
Prior to the match, Manchester City had moved into first place following their victory over Everton. However, Arsenal’s late kick-off in the London derby allowed them to reclaim the top spot, though the gap remains small. Liverpool, the defending champions, could reduce the lead to just one point if they defeat Manchester United on Sunday.
Fulham began the match with strong pressure, creating several early opportunities. Raul Jimenez and Harry Wilson both had shots that should have tested Arsenal’s goalkeeper, Bernd Leno. However, Arsenal gradually found their rhythm, with Declan Rice delivering a powerful long-range effort that narrowly missed the post.
Victor Gyokeres, the record-signing for Arsenal, struggled to make an impact in the first half due to limited service. His only meaningful chance came in the final moments of the first half, but his low shot was easily saved by Leno.
The breakthrough finally came in the second half when Gabriel headed Saka’s corner to the back post, allowing Trossard to tap the ball into the net. Despite the goal, Arsenal nearly extended their lead shortly after, with Saka’s low drive saved by Leno. A penalty decision was overturned following a VAR review, which added to the tension of the match.
Fulham failed to replicate their first-half intensity in the second half, and Arsenal managed to control the game. The result sees Arsenal move three points clear at the top of the table.
In a separate match, Manchester City continued their dominance with a 2-0 win over Everton. Erling Haaland was instrumental, scoring twice in the second half to help City take provisional leadership of the league. The Norwegian striker has now scored in 11 consecutive games, bringing his season total to 23 goals.
Haaland opened the scoring in the 58th minute with a header from Nico O’Reilly’s cross. He doubled the lead five minutes later with a powerful left-footed strike from the middle of the box. Despite several chances in the closing moments, he was unable to complete a hat-trick, with Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford making crucial saves.
Phil Foden praised Haaland’s performance, highlighting his ability to find space and capitalize on opportunities. “He is always there for us at the right times,” Foden said. “That is the sign of a world-class striker.”
Everton struggled to create chances, with Iliman Ndiaye and Beto failing to convert key opportunities. City dominated possession and shooting, recording 19 attempts compared to Everton’s five. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma made several important stops to preserve the clean sheet.
Jack Grealish, who was ineligible to play against his former club, was present at the stadium but did not feature in the match. His absence was a significant loss for Everton, as he is the league’s joint assist leader.
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