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.



26th Arabian Gulf Cup Final Postponed to Jan. 4

The match, originally planned for Friday, January 3, 2024, will take place at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium (File photo by SPA)
The match, originally planned for Friday, January 3, 2024, will take place at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium (File photo by SPA)
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26th Arabian Gulf Cup Final Postponed to Jan. 4

The match, originally planned for Friday, January 3, 2024, will take place at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium (File photo by SPA)
The match, originally planned for Friday, January 3, 2024, will take place at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium (File photo by SPA)

The Competitions Committee of the Gulf Football Federation announced Sunday that the final match of the "26th Arabian Gulf Cup" championship has been rescheduled to Saturday, January 4, 2024.

The match, originally planned for Friday, January 3, 2024, will take place at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, SPA reported.
Head of the Competitions Committee Khaled Al-Muqrin stated that the decision to postpone the final was made during a committee meeting and after consultations with the Gulf federations, all of which approved the change.
The semi-final matches will proceed as originally scheduled. The first semi-final will feature Saudi Arabia against Oman on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Jaber Al-Mubarak Stadium in Kuwait. The second semi-final, between Bahrain and Kuwait, will take place later that evening at 8:45 p.m. at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium.