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)
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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.



Amorim Taking Man Utd Turnaround a Day at a Time

Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - December 26, 2024 Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - December 26, 2024 Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)
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Amorim Taking Man Utd Turnaround a Day at a Time

Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - December 26, 2024 Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - December 26, 2024 Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim said he is taking it a day at a time after a 2-0 defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Thursday, as he tries to turn around the club's fortunes.

United, who have now lost four of their last five Premier League games, are 14th in the standings on 22 points from 18 matches, 11 behind fourth-placed Arsenal.

"We have to work on a lot of things in our club, inside the pitch and outside of the pitch, in each game and use every minute of training and game to improve," Amorim said, adding he had "no idea" how long it would take to turn things around.

"I have to just take it day by day, try and see the videos, using every minute of training to try and (help) us win some points," he told reporters.

Asked for his view on his players after a month in charge, Amorim said: "They need time to change as they are changing completely and the way of playing is hard on them and it is also hard on the staff as well to pass all the information on.

"Then when you do not get the results that is even harder. We have to believe and we have to continue. It is a tough moment and we have to focus on the next game."

United host Newcastle United on Monday, before travelling to take on Liverpool on Jan. 5.