Arsenal beat stubborn Hull 1-0 to stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League to six points on Saturday while Tottenham’s recent revival was halted by Leeds.
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners were strongly tipped to get the better of the visitors, who have not won in the league since August, but were made to sweat despite dominating the match.
Captain Martin Odegaard finally broke the deadlock for the champions and title favourites in the 72nd minute to give Arsenal their ninth win in 10 league games.
Arsenal, who bossed possession at the Emirates, had a claim for a penalty in the closing minutes of the first half after Kai Havertz had his shirt pulled by Nobel Mendy.
But VAR ruled that the German forward was in an offside position in the build-up.
Frustration mounted as the second half unfolded but Odegaard came to Arsenal’s rescue, scoring his first goal since early September with a poacher’s finish.
Noni Madueke cut in from the right before unleashing a left-footed shot that Hull goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis spilled and Odegaard fired home from close range.
Arsenal manager Arteta said he was happy with the performance but wanted his team to be more clinical after they recorded a third 1-0 win in four league games.
“I think it is time to praise my players. What they have done not only today but after the international break is remarkable because of the games,” he told the BBC.
He added: “We have some great moments, we need to put the chances we are creating against the opponent into the scoreline. That is what we need to improve.”
VAR controversy
In the early kick-off, Leeds struck in the 79th minute through substitute Noah Okafor to end Tottenham’s three-match winning run.
The major talking point in the first half was a challenge by Leeds defender Jayden Bogle on Spurs winger Mathys Tel, which was reviewed for a potential red card by VAR officials before eventually being cleared.
Tel had to leave the field shortly before half-time.
Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi, disappointed by his team’s second-half showing, refused to be drawn on the incident, which was not reviewed on the pitchside monitor by referee John Brooks.
“In the first situation of Mathys Tel I didn’t see, I can’t say nothing,” he told TNT Sports after the 1-0 defeat.
He added: “I have big confidence in the referee. Nothing changes if he goes to watch the clip or not. I think there was the VAR and if they didn’t take the right decision, I don’t know, but we have confidence.”
Defeat is a bitter blow for Spurs, who arrived at Elland Road in buoyant mood after recovering from a shocking start to the season.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke said his team, who had been winless in five league games, had shown “great spirit, great commitment, great unity”.
Elsewhere, Jacob Murphy put Newcastle on course for a much-needed win with a spectacular strike in the 80th minute at Craven Cottage but substitute Rodrigo Muniz levelled just three minutes later to earn a 1-1 draw.
City, who won their first seven Premier League matches under new manager Enzo Maresca, know that even if they keep pace with Arsenal it might ultimately all be in vain.
The Etihad club are still waiting to discover their fate after being found guilty of more than 100 breaches of Premier League financial rules — with a huge points deduction one potential punishment.
AFP
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