Gabriel Magalhaes’ second-half header earned Arsenal a crucial 1-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur in a feisty North London derby on Sunday to keep pace with early English Premier League leaders Manchester City.
Spurs started sharper and David Raya was forced into early saves, turning Dejan Kulusevski’s first-time effort behind before he clawed away a dangerous cross from the Sweden winger.
Record signing Dominic Solanke, making his home debut, squandered a good opening in the 14th minute after Arsenal lost possession deep in their own half, taking too long on the ball and allowing William Saliba to recover.
Arsenal fought their way into the contest, with Guglielmo Vicario tested by Kai Havertz before Gabriel Martinelli scuffed his shot with Bukayo Saka waiting.
Jurrien Timber was perhaps fortunate to avoid a straight red card in the first half for a reckless challenge on Pedro Porro as he tried to retain possession.
His studs landed on Porro’s ankle but referee Jarred Gillett deemed the incident was not serious foul play and VAR declined to intervene, much to the Spurs fans’ anger.
The second half started in similar fashion to the first, with the hosts on top as Micky van de Ven tested Raya with a glancing header, before Arsenal again got a foothold in the game.
The game had been breathless but low on quality in front of goal until Arsenal punished Spurs from a corner, having done so twice in last season’s 3-2 away win in April.
Gabriel escaped far too easily from central defender Cristian Romero, who pleaded for a foul in vain and powered a header past Vicario from close range in the 64th minute.
Arsenal withstood some late pressure from Spurs, who created few real chances and were left shooting from range as the Gunners seemed happy with a one-goal lead.
The win, their third in a row away to their bitter rivals, puts Arsenal on 10 points from four games, two behind defending champions Manchester City ahead of their trip to the Etihad next Sunday.
Newcastle prevail
Newcastle United fought back from a half-time deficit with two long-range strikes in the space of five minutes to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 at Molineux and move into third place.
Fabian Schar’s speculative effort took a deflection to draw Newcastle level after Wolves captain Mario Lemina’s 36th-minute goal had put the hosts ahead at the break.
But while there might have been an element of fortune about Schar’s 75th-minute goal, there was no luck involved as Harvey Barnes thrashed home a spectacular winner five minutes later.
Cards galore
Chelsea substitute Christopher Nkunku struck in the 86th minute to secure a 1-0 victory at Bournemouth in a game littered with a league record 14 yellow cards
on Saturday.
Bournemouth twice struck the woodwork and Evanilson had a first-half penalty saved by Robert Sanchez.
But Chelsea finished the game strongly and Nkunku, who came on in the 79th minute, slotted home from close range to make it two away wins out of two for the London side.
Chelsea ended a run of 17 league away games without a clean sheet, gave a debut to on-loan Jadon Sancho who impressed as a second-half substitute and showed plenty of resilience.
“First half we struggled, second half we were miles better,” Maresca said.
“We didn’t win many balls in the first half and you need that in this type of stadium against this team.”
Bournemouth, however, will feel hard done by as they paid dearly for failing to take their chances.