They beat Leeds 4-1 to maintain lead; City rout Liverpool

London : Arsenal secured a 4-1 victory over Leeds on Saturday, maintaining their lead at the top of the Premier League table. Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus broke his six-month goal drought, scoring twice to lead his team to victory.

Jesus converted a first-half penalty to give Arsenal the lead and then made it 3-0 with a simple finish from close range in the second half.

Ben White added the second goal, and Granit Xhaka headed in a late fourth to secure the win. Leeds managed to pull a goal back with a deflected shot from Rasmus Kristensen, but it was not enough to prevent the defeat.

Although Manchester City is still in pursuit of Arsenal, they came from behind to rout Liverpool 4-1 on Saturday, even without the Premier League’s leading scorer, Erling Haaland, who was ruled out due to a groin injury.

After City’s 4-1 victory over Liverpool, Arsenal was under pressure to respond, but the visitors almost scored straight from the kickoff. Aaron Ramsdale, Arsenal’s goalkeeper, kept out Kristensen’s shot, preventing them from taking the lead.

Bukayo Saka was on the bench for Arsenal for the first time since December 2021 due to a minor illness, and the Gunners’ attack lacked fluidity in the opening 30 minutes. However, Arsenal went ahead after Luke Ayling tripped Jesus in the area, and the Brazilian converted the spot kick.

It was all Arsenal in the second half, as White doubled the lead, and Jesus scored his second goal of the match. Xhaka’s header sealed the win for Arsenal.

In other Premier League matches, Bournemouth moved out of the relegation zone with a 2-1 win over Fulham. Tavernier’s stunning solo effort and Dominic Solanke’s 79th-minute winner secured the victory for the Cherries.

Crystal Palace also earned their first victory of the year with a 2-1 win over Leicester. Jean-Philippe Mateta’s stoppage-time strike gave Roy Hodgson’s team the win, halting their 12-game winless slide in the league in dramatic fashion.