Arsenal Beats Palace 4-1 to Extend Premier League Lead

19 March 2023, United Kingdom, London: Arsenal's Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring their side's second goal during the English Premier League match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium. (dpa)
19 March 2023, United Kingdom, London: Arsenal's Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring their side's second goal during the English Premier League match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium. (dpa)
TT

Arsenal Beats Palace 4-1 to Extend Premier League Lead

19 March 2023, United Kingdom, London: Arsenal's Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring their side's second goal during the English Premier League match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium. (dpa)
19 March 2023, United Kingdom, London: Arsenal's Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring their side's second goal during the English Premier League match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium. (dpa)

Bukayo Saka struck twice as Arsenal moved a step closer to the Premier League title by beating Crystal Palace 4-1 on Sunday.

The Gunners are eight points clear of current champions Manchester City, having played a game more.

Palace, who fired manager Patrick Vieira this week, saw its relegation concerns deepen after stretching its winless run to 13 games in all competitions.

Saka scored twice and set up the opener for Gabriel Martinelli, becoming the first Premier League player this season to reach double figures for both goals and assists.

Granit Xhaka was also on the score sheet.

Martinelli opened the scoring in the 28th minute after turning in Saka's cross.

Saka added a second in the 43rd after collecting a pass from Ben White and finishing low past Palace goalkeeper Joe Whitworth.

Saka then saw an effort cleared off the line as Arsenal started the second half in the same dominant manner as it ended the first.

Xhaka made it 3-0 in the 55th after exchanging passes with Leandro Trossard and finishing from close range.

Schlupp pulled one back for Palace in the 63rd, but any thoughts of an unlikely comeback were ended when Saka struck again in the 74th.

Palace is three points above the relegation zone, but fellow strugglers Bournemouth, West Ham, Leicester, Nottingham Forest and Leeds have games in hand.



Haaland Misses Penalty and Man City Drops More Points after 1-1 Draw with Everton

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Everton - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - December 26, 2024 Manchester City's Erling Haaland has his penalty saved by Everton's Jordan Pickford Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough
Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Everton - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - December 26, 2024 Manchester City's Erling Haaland has his penalty saved by Everton's Jordan Pickford Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough
TT

Haaland Misses Penalty and Man City Drops More Points after 1-1 Draw with Everton

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Everton - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - December 26, 2024 Manchester City's Erling Haaland has his penalty saved by Everton's Jordan Pickford Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough
Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Everton - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - December 26, 2024 Manchester City's Erling Haaland has his penalty saved by Everton's Jordan Pickford Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough

Erling Haaland missed a penalty as Manchester City was held 1-1 by Everton in the Premier League on Thursday.

Haaland had the chance to set the four-time defending champion on course for only its second win in 13 games when stepping up for a 53rd minute spot kick at the Etihad Stadium. But he was denied by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford as City's woeful recent run was extended, The Associated Press reported.

Pep Guardiola's team has lost nine of its last 13 games in all competitions. The draw means City picked up only its fifth point in the league since the end of October.

Bernardo Silva's deflected shot gave City the lead in the 14th, but Iliman Ndiaye leveled the score in the 36th.

The result leaves City sixth in the standings and 11 points behind leader Liverpool, having played two games more.

Haaland missed penalty means the Norway international has only scored one in his last seven games. He headed in from the rebound, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

City's grip on its title was further loosened by more dropped points. Liverpool had the chance to extend its lead over the champion when playing Leicester in the later kick off.