LONDON: Leandro Trossard, who cost Arsenal £20m from Brighton in January, repaid the faith of manager Mikel Arteta by providing all three assists as the Premier leaders’ 3-0 London derby win at Fulham.

Gabriel Martinelli had one goal ruled out for offside by VAR before defender Gabriel headed in a Trossard corner after 21 minutes. Five minutes later Trossard crossed for Martinelli to head home again before the Belgian served up No3 for captain Martin Odegaard.

All those goals came in the first half. Arsenal failed to add to the score after the interval but fans had the encouraging sign of a return to duty for Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian had undergone knee surgery after being injured against Cameroon in the World Cup finals. He played the last 13 minutes.

Victory kept Arsenal, who have not won the league title since 2004, five points ahead of Manchester City with 13 matches remaining.

Manager Arteta said: “I’m happy to win but also to get three points away from home and especially with a clean sheet. Leandro not only laid on three assists but could have scored himself. Every time we put the ball in the net it’s great. We practise lots of things and that brought us beautiful goals.”

Fulham are eighth, just outside the European qualifying places behind Brighton on goal difference. Manager Marco Silva said: “It was a tough game for us against such a top side. But we didn’t show any fire. Our second half was different but it was already too late. We showed them too much respect.”

Manchester United’s league campaign hit a new setback after Casemiro was sent off in a 0-0 home draw against relegation-threatened Southampton.

The Brazilian, so influential since his arrival last year from Real Madrid, was sent off after half an hour for a dangerous tackle on Carlos Alcaraz. This was Casemiro’s second red of the season so he will miss United’s next four games.

United are now only two points ahead of fourth-placed Tottenham. Southampton remain bottom of the table after fine saves from David de Gea defied Theo Walcott twice, Aaron Wan-Bissaka cleared off the goal-line and Kyle Walker-Peters hit a post.

Nick Pope was lucky to escape another red card before fifth-placed Newcastle beat Wolves 2-1.

In the first half England’s No2 goalkeeper lost control of the ball and bundled Raul Jimenez to the ground. Surprisingly referee Andy Madley waved play on and VAR did not intervene.

Goals from Alexander Isak and substitute Miguel Almiron ended a run of three defeats which had included the League Cup Final.

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