LONDON (BN24) — Arsenal FC restored their five-point advantage at the top of the Premier League with a commanding 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, as Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyökeres delivered decisive performances in the north London derby.
The pressure had intensified on Mikel Arteta’s side after consecutive draws against Brentford and Wolves allowed Manchester City to narrow the gap. Arsenal responded emphatically, capitalizing on home advantage and inflicting a difficult start on interim Tottenham manager Igor Tudor.
Eze, who had previously tormented Spurs earlier in the season, opened the scoring shortly after the half-hour mark, hooking the ball home from close range. Tottenham replied almost immediately through Randal Kolo Muani, whose equalizer briefly unsettled the hosts.
Arsenal regained control early in the second half when Gyökeres struck to restore the lead. The forward, whose influence has grown steadily, seized on defensive hesitation to put the Gunners back in front.
Eze added his second of the afternoon after Guglielmo Vicario parried a shot from Bukayo Saka into his path, calmly rolling the rebound into the net. Gyökeres completed the scoring in stoppage time, sealing a comprehensive result.
The victory provides Arsenal with renewed breathing room in their pursuit of a first league crown in 22 years. City retain a game in hand and will host Arsenal in April in a match that could shape the title race.
Tottenham, meanwhile, remain just four points above the relegation zone, underscoring the scale of the challenge facing Tudor as he attempts to steady the club’s campaign.
Liverpool Snatch Late Win
Elsewhere, Liverpool FC required a stoppage-time intervention from Alexis Mac Allister to secure a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
Mac Allister struck in the 97th minute, converting a rebound after Virgil van Dijk’s header was saved. The Argentina midfielder had earlier seen a goal disallowed when the ball was adjudged to have struck his arm after blocking a clearance from Ola Aina.
Forest, under new manager Vítor Pereira, appeared poised to claim a point before conceding late. The defeat leaves them two points clear of the relegation zone.
Liverpool remain sixth but draw level on points with Chelsea FC and Manchester United, closing to within six points of Aston Villa in the race for European qualification.
“I love scoring, I love winning, so in that sense I think it’s a really good day,” Mac Allister said. “But on the other hand, I don’t think we played very well. There are plenty of things we need to improve.”
Movement Across the Table
Fulham FC climbed into the top half of the standings with a 3-1 victory at Sunderland, becoming just the second visiting team to win at the Stadium of Light this season. Raúl Jiménez scored twice for Marco Silva’s side.
Crystal Palace eased mounting frustration at Selhurst Park by defeating 10-man Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0. Evann Guessand netted in the 90th minute, while Dean Henderson earlier saved a penalty from Tolu Arokodare. Wolves’ Ladislav Krejčí was sent off after the hour mark.
Arsenal’s response to mounting pressure may prove significant in the broader title narrative. After two draws that exposed vulnerability, Arteta’s side rediscovered attacking fluency and defensive resolve in the derby.
Eze’s resurgence adds another dimension to Arsenal’s front line. Having struggled for consistent minutes in recent weeks, he seized his opportunity emphatically. Gyökeres’ brace, meanwhile, suggests a growing partnership capable of sustaining the club’s momentum.
For Tottenham, defensive frailties and inconsistency persist. With relegation concerns lingering, stabilizing performances not just results — will be essential.
Liverpool’s narrow victory illustrates a different dynamic: resilience over dominance. While Arsenal dazzled, Liverpool endured. Both approaches, however, yielded three points — currency that matters most as the season enters its decisive stretch.
With City still within striking distance and possessing a game in hand, the title race remains finely poised. Yet on this weekend, Arsenal reclaimed initiative, combining urgency with execution in a fixture that rarely lacks consequence.
