Two Premier League London derbies unfolded on Sunday afternoon as Arsenal hosted Chelsea and Fulham took on Tottenham.
Here’s the action as it happened.
Arsenal vs Chelsea
Scorers:Ā Merino 20′
Arsenal made a bright start with two big chances, as Leandro Trossard poked wide before Declan Rice fired over the crossbar after Chelsea failed to clear a loose ball inside the area.
The Gunners remained on top and took the lead on 20 minutes whenĀ Mikel Merino stooped to meet Martin Ćdegaard’s corner at the near post and headered pastĀ Robert SĆ”nchez.
Chelsea almost had another setback when Wesley Fofana caught Rice with a heavy tackle, but the defender was spared a red card following a swift VAR check.Ā
Although Arsenal had near-complete control in the first half, Marc Cucurella almost pulled the visitors level with a fierce volley that David Raya parried past the post.
Few chances came early in the second period until Merino’s goal-bound volley from Trossard’s cross was kept out by SĆ”nchez.
Fulham vs Tottenham
Fulham and Tottenham made a cagey start andĀ Andreas Pereira’s ambitious attempt from a tight angle was the closest either side came in the opening quarter.
Neither side could gain control of the contest, but Fulham ended the first half with momentum after Timothy Castagne forcedĀ Guglielmo Vicario into a reaction save from close range.
Ange Postecoglou introducedĀ Lucas Bergvall after half time and the Spurs midfielder almost made an immediate impact with a floated cross to Dominic Solanke, who headered wide from 10 yards out.
Still to come…
Relegation-threatened Leicester host Manchester United at the King Power asĀ Ruud van Nistelrooy faces his old side.Ā
šø Alex Pantling – 2025 Getty Images
