Saka scores on return from injury as Arsenal trims gap to Liverpool to 9 points in Premier League
LONDON: Bukayo Saka marked his first appearance in more than three months by scoring as a substitute in Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Fulham that trimmed the gap to Premier League leader Liverpool to nine points on Tuesday. The England winger entered in the 66th minute to a huge ovation after his long absence because of a hamstring injury and, within seven minutes, was taking the acclaim of the Arsenal fans again after nodding home the second goal at Emirates Stadium. Mikel Merino scored the 37th-minute opener for second-place Arsenal, which require an unlikely collapse by Liverpool if they are to capture their first league title since 2004. Liverpool host Everton in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday, after which there are eight rounds left in the Premier League. Rodrigo Muniz grabbed a stoppage-time consolation goal for Fulham. Saka, who has been sidelined since sustaining his injury on Dec. 21 in a league match at Crystal Palace, is back in time to face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals starting next week. Whether Gabriel Magalhaes will be available against the European champions remains to be seen.