Lloris own-goal, Odegaard strike get Arsenal 2-0 road win over Spurs

Sports Desk, Jan 15 (EFE).- With an own-goal by Tottenham netminder Hugo Lloris and a nice strike by Martin Odegaard, Arsenal prevailed handily over their hosts at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, extending their advantage at the top of the Premier League table and edging a step closer to a well-deserved championship.

Mikel Arteta’s side was strong throughout the match, despite the pressure recently being brought to bear by rivals, although those rivals admittedly slipped this weekend, in particular Manchester City, who fell in their derby match against Man United and remain eight points behind the “Gunners” but are their closest challengers to take the tourney.

Odegaard did yeoman work on Sunday, leading the side in its road win, helped out by Aaeon Ramsdale in the net, who fended off Tottenham’s attempts to get on the board, and by Bukayo Saka, who has been an ongoing nightmare for Arsenal’s adversaries.

The London derby swung in Arsenal’s direction in minute 14 when Lloris committed a fatal error after Saka got the ball and penetrated the area, firing a shot-on-goal that ricocheted off the netminder and into the twine for the 1-0.

It was the first own-goal scored by Lloris in his 354-game Premier League career.

The tally frustrated the Spurs, who up to that point had felt they were in an equal duel. Thomas Partey tried another shot-on-goal for the visitors but it hit the post.

It was in the 36th minute that Odegaard got the ball from Saka and fired from outside the area, the powerful blast beating Lloris and doubling Arsenal’s lead.

Antonio Conte made no changes to Tottenham’s starting 11 when play resumed after the break, but the Spurs started out without much oomph until they sent the ball to Kulusevski, who passed to Harry Kane for the strike, ahtough Ramsdale knocked the shot away.

Just a few minutes later, it was Kane again this time getting the ball to Ryan Sessegnon, but Ramsdale was once again able to get his fingers out to deflect the shot.

Tottenham created multiple chance, trying to stage a comeback, and Arsenal had its hands full defending for a stretch of at least 15 minutes or so but managed to stave off their rivals’ efforts and ultimately to slow play down to a more manageable pace.

And yet, the match swung back and forth in exciting fashion with both sides manufacturing good chances that either came to nought or were well-defended against, until the final whistle after five minutes of stoppage time saw Arsenal get clear of all danger and definitively pocket the three points.

With the win, Arsenal not only sits atop the table but are also unbeaten in their last 12 League matches.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United returned to third place in the Premier League following a last-gasp 1-0 victory over visitors Fulham, who squandered a penalty chance in the second half.

Alexander Isak’s 89th minute header secured the three points for Eddie Howe’s men, who dominated the game and are unbeaten in the league since August.

Sixth-place Fulham had a chance to go ahead from the spot in the second half. Aleksandar Mitrovic had the ball in the net but the goal was ruled out after he touched it twice, kicking it off his planted left foot as he slipped.

Elsewhere in London, Chelsea battled to a 1-0 win against Crystal Palace to ease the pressure in a choppy season so far.

Kai Havertz’s 64 minute header sealed the deal for the Blues, who sit in 10th, behind Liverpool.

EFE –/bp