Arsenal moves seven points clear atop English Premier League

Photo: AFP English Premier League leaders Arsenal ended their mini-slump with an emphatic 4-0 victory at Leeds United to move seven points clear, despite Bukayo Saka being ruled out through injury just before kickoff. Martin Zubimendi's header and an own goal by Leeds keeper Karl Darlow put Arsenal in command before halftime, and Viktor Gyokeres's volley and a clever finish by Gabriel Jesus wrapped things up after the break. Arsenal's first victory in four league games moved Mikel Arteta's side to 53 points from 24 matches, with Manchester City and Aston Villa, who both play on Monday, on 46. "To win 4-0 here is very difficult, let's see when the next time that happens," said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who withstood a second-half soaking, as the rain hammered down at Elland Road. "Big credit to the boys. The team showed a real dominance, resilience and character, and obviously quality. "I really liked the attitude of the team." Saka's withdrawal with a hip niggle did not bode well for Arsenal. whose loss at home to Manchester United last week, following consecutive 0-0 draws, had raised questions about their nerve, as they sought their first title since 2004. With Leeds losing only once in their last 10 league games, it looked like being a real test of Arsenal's mettle. They passed it in style, however, as the depth of their squad was again apparent, with Saka's replacement Noni Madueke making a huge impact. Zubimendi met his cross to put Arsenal in front after 27 minutes and his corner was fumbled into his own goal by Darlow. The raucous Elland Road crowd tried to lift their side, but there was no way back, after substitute Gabriel Martinelli did brilliantly down the right and whipped in a low cross that Gyokeres met with a volley past Darlow. Martinelli's fellow Brazilian, Jesus, also off the bench, then showed sparkling footwork, before curling in a clinical finish in the 86th minute. Liverpool win for first time in a month. Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike struck twice in two minutes to spark Arne Slot's side to a 4-1 comeback win over Newcastle United for the champions' first league victory in over a month. Florian Wirtz and Ibrahima Konate scored in the second half to help Liverpool climb to fifth in the table with 39 points, 14 behind leaders Arsenal, as Newcastle fell to 10th on 33. Photo: AFP Newcastle started briskly and Anthony Gordon scored his first league goal in open play for more than a year in the 36th minute, as the visiting fans eyed a first victory at Anfield since 1994. The optimism was short-lived, however, as Ekitike turned the game on its head with goals in the 41st and 43rd minutes. Ekitike scored with a stab home at the near post, after Wirtz worked the ball into the box and pulled it back for the Frenchman, who then latched onto a ball down the line from Milos Kerkez and poked it into the far corner to put the hosts ahead. Wirtz struck in the 67th minute with a shot in off the far post, after a one-two with Mohamed Salah, and Konate - whose father died this month - scored deep into stoppage time to complete the rout. Konate, who missed two games to attend his father's funeral, was mobbed by his teammates, as he wiped away tears. "I know that the team had some injured players, and the manager said to take my time and I don't have to rush back," Konate said. "It was important for me to come back and help the team." Slot's team had not won a league match in their previous five attempts, but hoped their Champions League victories over the past two weeks - including Thursday's 6-0 thrashing of Qarabag - could turn their league fortunes around. Chelsea strike back to beat West Ham Chelsea battled from two goals down to beat West Ham 3-2, with a stoppage-time Enzo Fernandez winner crowning the second comeback win in four days for the Blues under new coach Liam Rosenior. Struggling in the relegation zone, the Hammers took full advantage of a careless Chelsea performance in the first half, possibly a result of tiredness, after the Blues came from behind to beat Napoli 3-2 in the Champions League on Thursday (US Time). The visitors went ahead in the seventh minute, when a cross by captain Jarrod Bowen went in at the far post, and they doubled their lead half an hour later, when Crysencio Summerville struck a bullet shot past Robert Sanchez. With boos from the Stamford Bridge fans ringing in his ears, Rosenior made three substitutions at the break, setting Chelsea on their way to their dramatic win with two of the replacements - Joao Pedro and Marc Cucurella - bringing the hosts level. In the 57th minute, Pedro headed home from a Wesley Fofana cross, triggering a wave of Chelsea attacks, and in the 70th, Cucurella brought Chelsea level with a diving header, after the ball rebounded back off the crossbar. West Ham defender Jean-Clair Todibo wasted a chance to put the visitors back in front in the 86th minute, before Fernandez completed Chelsea's comeback two...

Arsenal moves seven points clear atop English Premier League

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