Arsenal breeze past Fulham to open six-point gap over Man City

LONDON, May 2 : Arsenal opened up a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League on Saturday with a comfortable 3-0 win at home to Fulham, thanks to a first-half double from Viktor Gyokeres either side of a goal from Bukayo Saka.

The Gunners started brightly and with purpose, taking a deserved lead in the ninth minute when Saka put Raul Jimenez on his backside and laid the ball on a plate for Gyokeres to slot home.

Gyokeres returned the favour shortly before halftime, finding Saka who beat former Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno at his near post to double the lead.

The Sweden striker then ended the contest in added time, heading in Leandro Trossard's cross to cap an impressive performance with his 21st goal of the season in all competitions.

With one eye on Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg at home to Atletico Madrid, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta could afford to take off Saka, making his first start since the League Cup final on March 22, at halftime.

Gyokeres was denied his hat-trick by a good save from Leno before he too was replaced in a sedate second half with the victory long since wrapped up.

Arsenal move to 76 points from 35 games, with second-placed Manchester City on 70 points from 33 games – and, perhaps crucially, Arsenal now have a four-goal advantage on goal difference.

The Gunners could, however, be second again if City win their two matches before Arsenal's next league game at West Ham United on May 10.

Arteta deflected a question about whether Saturday's performance sent a message to City, telling reporters: "It says to us and to our dressing room that we keep the dream alive."

Fulham are 10th with 48 points from 35 games, three points behind west London rivals Brentford in sixth and, despite their