Arsenal sweep away Fulham, Manchester United stumble over Southampton

Week after week, Arsenal are refining their status as potential champions. The Gunners, who had experienced a slight air pocket in February (one point in three matches), chained this Sunday a fifth success in a row in the Premier League, winning easily at Fulham (0-3), in the framework of the 27th day. Thanks to this new victory, Mikel Arteta’s players have consolidated their status as leaders, with a five-point lead over Manchester City, who had struggled to win at Crystal Palace (1-0) on Saturday.

At Craven Cottage, Arsenal delivered a real display, displaying constant activity, obvious desire and tactical rigor, which completely annihilated Fulham. The statistics reflect this constant domination, since the Gunners have shot 15 times on goal (including seven shots on target, against only two for their opponents).

The big man of this meeting is none other than Leandro Trossard, aligned in false nine, who delivered three decisive passes: the first on a corner which was taken from the head by Gabriel (0-1, 21st), the second on a cross for Gabriel Martinelli surprisingly alone in the heart of the Fulham area (0-2, 26th) and the third on a splendid service for Martin Ödegaard, who quietly controlled before adjusting Bernd Leno (0-3, 45 + 2nd).

The second period, which the leader of the English Championship quietly managed, was nevertheless marked, for Fulham, by an attempt from Aleksandar Mitrovic’s header pushed back by the bar (69th) and by the return to the field of Gabriel Jesus , came into play in place of Trossard (77th). The Brazilian hadn’t played in the Premier League since November 12 due to a knee injury.

Casemiro ruled out, Manchester United mute

Moreover, this Sunday afternoon, Manchester United, which hosted the red lantern Southampton, had to settle for a draw (0-0). The meeting was marked by the expulsion of Casemiro (34th), who planted his crampons on the tibia of Carlos Alcaraz, and by the numerous chances that the Saints obtained, like a tense strike from Kyle Walker-Peters pushed back by the post (70th).

This result weakens the third place of the Red Devils, who are only two points ahead of Tottenham, Saturday winner of Nottingham Forest (3-1). Finally, in the last match of the afternoon, West Ham conceded a draw at home against Aston Villa (1-1). Ollie Watkins opened the scoring with a header for the Villans, after a nice cross from Álex Moreno (0-1, 17th), before Saïd Benrahma equalized from the penalty spot (1-1, 26th).