Lacazette is spot on against rivals Spurs
ALEXANDRE Lacazette scored Arsenal’s winner from the penalty spot as they downed ten-man Tottenham despite captain PierreEmerick Aubameyang being dropped due to disciplinary issues.
The striker was only named among the substitutes as the club confirmed a breach in pre-match protocol ahead of the North London derby – but his teammates triumphed anyway, coming from behind to secure a 2-1 win.
Lacazette turned home a second-half penalty after Martin Odegaard had earlier cancelled out a sublime rabona finish from Spurs substitute Erik Lamela – who was later sent off for picking up two quick bookings as the visitors chased the game.
With both sides very much on the periphery of the race for the Premier League top four and no Emirates Stadium crowd, it felt like a shadow of previous derbies.
But this was a big win for Arsenal and boss Mikel Arteta, especially after his decision to axe star man Aubameyang before kick-off.
Elsewhere, Kelechi Iheanacho scored his first Premier League hat-trick as rampant Leicester put sorry Sheffield United to the sword at the King Power Stadium.
Ayoze Perez’s strike and an Ethan Ampadu own goal sealed a 5-0 success for the Foxes, which saw them return to second place in the table, ahead of Manchester United’s game against West Ham, which concluded after the Daily Press deadline.
For the Blades, it rounded off a difficult week which had seen the departure of manager Chris Wilder the day before the match. The 5-0 margin was a worse defeat than any in the entire tenure of Wilder.
Earlier, Leandro Trossard settled the south-coast showdown by firing Brighton to a crucial 2-1 win at Southampton.
Lewis Dunk headed them ahead and, although Che Adams struck an equaliser for Saints with a third goal in three matches, Trossard conjured up a classy winner.
On Saturday, Manchester City moved 17 points clear at the top of the table with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Fulham.
The Cottagers, who defeated Liverpool last weekend, held their own during the first half, but were three down by the hour after a disastrous start to the second period.
John Stones and Gabriel Jesus put City two up before Sergio Aguero netted a first League goal in 14 months from the penalty spot.
Burnley took another step towards safety with an impressive win at Goodison Park that dented Everton’s top-four hopes.
The Clarets’ goals in their 2-1 success both came in the first half through excellent strikes from Chris Wood and Dwight McNeil.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin pulled one back prior to half-time.
Chelsea took their unbeaten League run to ten matches in an entertaining 0-0 draw at Leeds.
The Blues, who have not lost in 12 games in all competitions under manager Thomas Tuchel, were given a thorough workout by Leeds, who deserved their point.
Luka Milivojevic’s first-half spotkick helped Crystal Palace take another step to safety with a 1-0 win over sinking West Brom.
Newcastle and Aston Villa drew 1-1 on Friday night, a Ciaran Clark own goal giving the visitors a late lead, only for Jamaal Lascelles to level deep into stoppage-time.
Wolves host Liverpool tonight (8pm).