Spain midfielder Santi Cazorla struck twice in the second half as Arsenal beat Fulham 2-0 to stay ahead of Manchester City at the top of the Barclays Premier League.
With free-scoring City romping to another big home win as Cardiff were the latest side put to the sword at the Etihad Stadium, there was little margin for error from Arsene Wenger's men, who hold a slender one-point lead.
After a slow first half, the Gunners finally sparked into life as two quick goals from diminutive Spaniard Cazorla gave them what was in the end a comfortable victory.
Top of the league: Santi Cazorla's five-minute double ensured Arsenal stay top of the Premier League
Sweet strike: Cazorla doubled his tally with a left-footed strike from outside the box into the corner
On target: Cazorla scored his second and third goals of the season
Valiant: Fulham held out well but the defeat sees them just a point above the drop zone
Standing firm: Arsenal remain a single point ahead of second placed Manchester City
Impressed: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger gives the thumbs up after seeing his team stay top of the pile
Famous fan: Arsenal's record goalscorer Thierry Henry was in the stands to watch the action
From our Match Zone: Santi Cazorla started and finished the move for Arsenal's opening goal
Fulham finally came to life on 20 minutes when the ball dropped to Sidwell at the edge of the Arsenal penalty area. The midfielder fired in a superb half-volley which Wojciech Szczesny beat away one-handed as it flew towards the top-right corner.
The Poland international then had to get his timing inch-perfect as he came out to save at the feet of Ashkan Dejagah as Fulham pressed again.
Clever footwork from Cazorla after a quick free-kick saw the Spaniard brought down just outside the penalty arc.
Ozil stood over the ball, but left it for Cazorla, whose low strike came off the bottom of the wall, rebounding to Bacary Sagna. His shot was saved as was Giroud's follow-up, but the offside flag had been raised.
There was a scare for Arsenal at the start of the second half as Fulham defender Dan Burn, making his Premier League debut, sent a header goalwards from a corner, but Per Mertesacker was well placed to clear.
Slowly Arsenal regained their dominance, but continued to be frustrated by a lack of a decisive pass to open up the stubborn visitors.
Memento: Wojciech Szczesny handed a fan his shirt after the game
Strike: Olivier Giroud shoots for goal but sees his shot thwarted by Maarten Stekelenburg
Twisting and turning: Mesut Ozil dribbles at Dan Burn
Held off: Mathieu Flamini stops Clint Dempsey from getting to the ball
The Cottagers goal continued to lead a charmed life as both Cazorla and Gnabry saw close-range efforts blocked before Laurent Koscielny hit the post.
Arsenal finally had the breakthrough on 57 minutes when the ball was worked by Giroud to Wilshere in the left side of the crowded penalty area and he cut it back to Cazorla who drilled his shot into the bottom right corner.
Before Fulham could regroup, they were 2-0 down.
Nacho Monreal's cross from the left was headed out by Burn, and the ball dropped to Cazorla.
Foot in: Scott Parker dispossesses Serge Gnabry
Tricked: Dimitar Berbatov gets away from Spanish defender Nacho Monreal
Shield: Steve Sidwell holds off Jack Wilshere
The Spaniard needed little invitation to set himself before clipping a lovely drive low past Stekelenburg on 62 minutes.
There was some concern when Giroud went down clutching his ankle following a sliding challenge from Sidwell, but the France forward was able to continue after treatment.
With 20 minutes left, Gnabry was given a break as fellow German Lukas Podolski came on.
The substitute almost had an instant impact as his angled shot was blocked by Sascha Riether and then saw a rasping 20-yard drive touched on to the post by Stekelenburg.
Fulham forward Darren Bent, on for Dejagah, almost continued his good form against Arsenal when clear through after the ball bounced off Szczesny, but could not cut his shot back into the empty net as Koscielny slid in.
There was some concern when Giroud went down clutching his ankle following a sliding challenge from Sidwell, but the France forward was able to continue after treatment.
With 20 minutes left, Gnabry was given a break as fellow German Lukas Podolski came on.
The substitute almost had an instant impact as his angled shot was blocked by Sascha Riether and then saw a rasping 20-yard drive touched on to the post by Stekelenburg.
Fulham forward Darren Bent, on for Dejagah, almost continued his good form against Arsenal when clear through after the ball bounced off Szczesny, but could not cut his shot back into the empty net as Koscielny slid in.
Big leap: Dan Burn, on his Premier League debut, heads the ball clear
Holding on: Cazorla grabs Sascha Riether's shorts
Tumble: Gnabry and Kieran Richardson get tied up on the right wing
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
No comments:
Post a Comment