LONDON: Arsenal powered five points clear at the top of the Premier League with a stylish 3-0 win at Fulham, while Casemiro was sent off as Manchester United were held to a 0-0 draw by Southampton on Sunday.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side had seen second-placed Manchester City close the gap with victory at Crystal Palace on Sat­u­rday. The Gunners responded with the kind of composed display that has been the hallmark of their unexpected title charge.

First-half goals from Gabriel Magal­haes, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Ode­g­aard — all set up by Leandro Trossard — put Arsenal on course for a fifth consecutive league win.

With 11 league games left, the north Londoners have the title in their sights.

It was Arsenal’s 11th victory from 14 away league matches this season, underlining the durability and maturity that has them in position to win the title for the first time since Arsene Wenger’s ‘Invincibles’ in 2004.

“We scored beautiful goals. I’m really happy to win away from home, especially with a clean sheet,” Arteta said.

“It’s great to see the goals distributed through the team. Leandro laid on three assists and could also have scored too.”

Magalhaes put Arsenal ahead after 21 minutes as the Brazilian centre-back rose above three Fulham defenders to meet Trossard’s corner with a powerful close-range header.

Arsenal struck again with another aerial raid in the 26th minute.

Trossard was the provider once more, teasing his way down the left flank before lofting a cross towards Martinelli, who easily out-jumped Antonee Robinson to head home from close-range.

Odegaard put the result beyond doubt in the final seconds of the first half as Arsenal benefitted from more abject Fulham defending.

Producing his third assist of the afternoon, Trossard’s cross reached Odegaard in the Fulham area and the midfielder, granted far too much space, controlled on his thigh and set himself for a fierce strike that fizzed past Bernd Leno.

At Old Trafford, Casemiro’s dismissal forced third-placed United to settle for a drab goalless draw.

Erik ten Hag’s team looked fatigued after beating Real Betis in the Europa League last-16 first leg on Thursday and had to hold on for a point after Casemiro was sent off in the 34th minute.

The Brazil midfielder’s initial booking for a high challenge on Carlos Alcaraz was changed to a red card following a VAR check.

“Casemiro played over 500 games in Europe and never once got a red card. Now he has two in the Premier League,” Ten Hag said.

“His absence is not the issue. We will deal with that. This game was influenced by the referee.”

Southampton remain bottom of the table despite their battling draw.

West Ham moved out of the relegation zone with a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa at the London Stadium.

West Ham, who started the day in 18th place, moved up one spot but were still booed off at full-time.

Villa went ahead with their first effort on target, Ollie Watkins heading in Emi­liano Buendia’s cross in the 17th minute.

West Ham equalised nine minutes later when Said Benrahma converted a penalty awarded for Leon Bailey’s shove on Lucas Paqueta.

In Saturday’s late match, Manchester City needed a second-half penalty from striker Erling Haaland to break the resistance of a dogged Crystal Palace and secure a 1-0 win at Selhurst Park.

The visitors made a swift start, with midfielder Rodri clipping a powerful third-minute volley straight at keeper Vicente Guaita and Jack Grealish pulling a shot just wide, but with the home side packing their defence, City had a hard time breaking them down.

City’s breakthrough finally came when captain Ilkay Gundogan was upended in the box following a clumsy late challenge by Michael Olise.

Haaland stepped up and smashed home the spot kick low to the keeper’s left in the 78th minute for his 28th league goal of the season and his 34th in all competitions.

Published in Dawn, March 13th, 2023