Fulham 0-1 Arsenal: Gunners go three points clear at Premier League summit after narrow victory

Arsenal retained their place at the top of the Premier League table following a hard-fought victory over London neighbours Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Leandro Trossard scored the only goal of the game as the Gunners ran out 1-0 winners against their injury-ravaged but nonetheless spirited hosts.

Manchester City had temporarily leapfrogged Mikel Arteta’s side at the top following a 2-0 win over Everton earlier in the day.

But the north Londoners returned to the summit just hours later to move three points clear of Pep Guardiola’s team.

An electric start in London

Despite 12 places separating the two teams at kick-off, it was the hosts who started brightest at Craven Cottage; Raul Jimenez and Harry Wilson both going close early on after a frenetic start to the game.

But Arsenal eventually settled and had the ball in the back of the net courtesy of Riccardo Calafiori’s sublime sweeping finish, but the goal was promptly chalked off for offside.

Shortly after, Wilson dragged an effort wide following Alex Iwobi’s incisive pass, before Viktor Gyokeres stung the palms of former Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno.

Fulham’s injury woes, which before the game included the likes of Sasa Lukic, Samuel Chukwueze, Antonee Robinson and Rodrigo Muniz, then worsened when defender Joachim Andersen added his name to that list before the half was out, replaced by Issa Diop.

Trossard strikes for the Gunners

But after a largely even first period, it was Arsenal who struck the first blow 13 minutes after the break. From a corner – something of a Gunners’ speciality – Gabriel’s flick on was turned in at the far post by Trossard.

The visitors then had a penalty decision overturned by VAR before Leno produced an impressive double-save to deny both Gyokeres and substitute Gabriel Martinelli.

The Gunners stifled any whiffs of a Fulham fightback to see out the contest to give themselves a bit of distance at the top of the table.