Arsenal beat stubborn Hull 1-0 on Saturday to stretch
their lead at the top of the Premier League to six points, while Tottenham's
recent revival was halted by Leeds.
Mikel Arteta's side, strongly tipped to beat a Hull
team yet to win in the league since August, dominated possession but were made
to sweat. Captain Martin Odegaard finally broke the deadlock in the 72nd
minute, giving the title favourites their ninth win in 10 league games.
Arsenal had a penalty claim late in the first half
when Kai Havertz had his shirt pulled by Nobel Mendy, but VAR ruled that the
German was offside in the build-up. Frustration grew in the second half until
Odegaard, scoring his first goal since early September, pounced. Noni Madueke
cut in from the right and fired a left-footed shot that Hull goalkeeper
Konstantinos Tzolakis spilled, and Odegaard fired home from close range.
Arteta said he was happy with the performance but
wanted his team to be more clinical, after a third 1-0 win in four league
games. "I think it is time to praise my players. What they have done not
only today but after the international break is remarkable because of the
games," he told the BBC. He added that the team is creating good moments
but must turn chances into goals.
In the early kick-off, substitute Noah Okafor struck
in the 79th minute to give Leeds a 1-0 win over Tottenham and end Spurs'
three-match winning run. The main talking point of the first half was a
challenge by Leeds defender Jayden Bogle on Spurs winger Mathys Tel, which VAR
reviewed for a possible red card before clearing it. Tel left the field shortly
before half-time, and referee John Brooks did not view the incident on the
pitchside monitor.
Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi, disappointed with his
team's second-half showing, declined to be drawn on the incident. "In the
first situation of Mathys Tel I didn't see, I can't say nothing," he told
TNT Sports, adding that he has confidence in the referee. The defeat is a
bitter blow for Spurs, who arrived at Elland Road in buoyant mood after
recovering from a shocking start to the season. Leeds manager Daniel Farke said
his side, winless in five league games before this, showed "great spirit,
great commitment, great unity."
Elsewhere, Jacob Murphy put Newcastle on course for a
much-needed win with a spectacular 80th-minute strike at Craven Cottage, but
substitute Rodrigo Muniz equalised three minutes later to earn Fulham a 1-1
draw.
Manchester City, who won their first seven league
games under new manager Enzo Maresca, know that keeping pace with Arsenal could
be in vain. They are still awaiting their fate after being found guilty of more
than 100 breaches of Premier League financial rules, with a heavy points
deduction among the possible punishments.
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