Arsenal get off to winning start
ROUND-UP
ARSENAL’S debutants starred as they kicked off their Premier League season with a comfortable 3-0 victory over recently-promoted Fulham.
Willian finished his first match since the move across London from Chelsea with three assists, while Gabriel headed home Arsenal’s second to start his own Gunners career in ideal fashion.
Fulham’s return to the top flight got off to a difficult start when Alexandre Lacazette capitalised on a loose ball in the eighth minute to give Mikel Arteta’s team an encouraging beginning to the new season.
Gabriel’s header after halftime strengthened Arsenal’s grip on the game and was quickly followed up by PierreEmerick Aubameyang’s curled strike which secured all three points in a routine victory for the North London club.
Elsewhere, Crystal Palace had Wilfried Zaha to thank as the former Manchester United winger scored the game’s only goal at Selhurst Park.
The Ivory Coast internationalist, who has been linked with a move away from Palace this summer, opened the scoring on 13 minutes to give his side what proved to be an unassailable lead over Southampton.
Saints forward Danny Ings went close to grabbing a share of the spoils for his side late on but was denied by an excellent stop from Vicente Guaita in goal for the hosts.
And in the evening’s late kick-off, Steve Bruce’s Newcastle comfortably saw off West Ham 2-0, with debutants Callum Wilson and Jeff Hendrick both scoring at the London Stadium.