Arsenal stay perfect; Spurs win as Kane reaches another milestone

Sports Desk, Aug 20 (EFE).- Martin Odegaard had a brace Saturday to lead Arsenal 3-0 over Bournemouth and the Gunners claimed sole possession of first place in the Premier League, 2 points ahead of Tottenham Hotspur, who edged Wolverhampton 1-0 on a record-setting goal by Harry Kane.

This marks the first time in 17 years that Arsenal have started the season with three straight victory and their impressive plus-7 goal difference could keep them in the top spot even if defending champions Manchester City go level on points with a win Sunday.

Kane’s match-winner brought his Premier League goal total to 185, the most by any player with a single club.

Though promoted Bournemouth celebrated their return to the top-flight with a victory in the season opener, the Cherries were no match for the Gunners despite the seemingly irrepressible enthusiasm of their supporters at Vitality Stadium on the South Coast.

The visitors took the lead in the 5th minute with the first of Odegaard’s goals, which came as the culmination of an attack that began in midfield with a dazzling display by Gabriel Jesus.

The former Man City man beat four defenders before passing to Gabriel Martinelli, whose shot was turned aside by keeper Mark Travers only to end up in the path of Odegaard, who made it 2-0 in the 11th minute.

Arsenal defender William Saliba scored in the 54th minute on the follow-up to a free kick, but a goal by Jesus in the 72nd was disallowed for an offside.

In London, Tottenham made a poor start against visiting Wolves, who would go on to have 51 percent possession and outshoot the hosts 20-11.

But Spurs improved and Kane forced a leaping save by keeper Jose Sa as the first half was winding down.

After the break, the home side picked up where they left off. A shot from Kane hit the cross-bar in the 51st minute and Son Heung-min hit the post 10 minutes later.

Kane broke the deadlock in the 64th minute with an assist from summer signing Ivan Perisic.

With 250 goals for Spurs in all competitions, the 29-year-old England captain needs just 17 more to surpass Jimmy Greaves as the club’s all-time leading scorer.

In other action Saturday, Wilfried Zaha had a double to power Crystal Palace 3-1 over Aston Villa, and Southampton beat Leicester City 2-1 with a brace by Che Adams.

Everton earned their first point of the campaign with a 1-1 draw against promoted Nottingham Forest. EFE id-sd/dr