Arsenal beat Sunderland to move nine points clear at the top of the Premier League while Manchester United made it four wins from four under Michael Carrick on another dismal day for Tottenham. Cole Palmer returned to form with a first-half hat-trick in Chelsea’s win at Wolves.
Gyokeres double for Gunners
Viktor Gyokeres scored a second-half brace as Arsenal piled the pressure on title rivals Manchester City with a 3-0 win over Sunderland.
Martin Zubimendi fired Mikel Arteta’s side on their way with a brilliant long-range opener three minutes before half-time at the Emirates Stadium.
Gyokeres doubled the hosts’ advantage six minutes after he was introduced as a substitute on the hour-mark and added a breakaway third deep into stoppage time.
Carrick wins again as Romero sees red
United’s winning start under Carrick continued as they beat 10-man Spurs at Old Trafford 2-0.
Goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes condemned Spurs and their under-fire manager Thomas Frank to defeat after controversial captain Cristian Romero was sent off.
Romero – critical of the club’s board this week – was shown a straight red card after 29 minutes for a poor challenge on Casemiro.
It proved catastrophic for Spurs, who are 14th in the table and without a win in seven games, while United are fourth.
Palmer nets first-half treble
Chelsea also maintained their 100 per cent league record under Liam Rosenior as they won 3-1 at Molineux, thanks largely to Palmer’s first-half treble.
After a tough spell for the England forward, marred by fitness issues, a dearth of goals and reports he is unsettled, it was a stunning return to form.
Two of his goals were penalties but converted impeccably before his third effort finished off a flowing move and made him the club’s record hat-trick scorer in the Premier League era.
Bottom side Wolves rallied in the second half after an abysmal first period and claimed a consolation through Tolu Arokodare.
Crucial win for Hammers
Crysencio Summerville and Taty Castellanos were on target as West Ham boosted their survival hopes with a 2-0 win at struggling Burnley, while Newcastle were booed off after Dango Ouattara’s late strike gave Brentford a 3-2 win at St James’ Park.
Aston Villa missed the chance to move into second as they were held 1-1 at Bournemouth while Everton came from behind to win 2-1 at Fulham with two late goals.
Oxlade-Chamberlain returns
Former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is back in football after signing a short-term deal with Celtic.
The 32-year-old had been without a club since leaving Beskitas in August.
He was paraded to the crowd at Parkhead prior to a dramatic 2-1 extra-time victory over Dundee in the Scottish Cup fifth round.
Ethan Hamilton’s stunner put Dundee in sight of victory but debutant Junior Adamu rescued the hosts in stoppage time and Sebastian Tounekti won it in extra time.
What’s on today?
Manchester City travel to Liverpool hoping for a victory that will move them back within six points of Arsenal while Brighton host rivals Crystal Palace.
