Arsenal go five points clear, Leeds and West Ham boost survival hopes

LONDON : Arsenal opened a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a 1-0 victory at Leicester City while on a big day for the relegation battlers there were huge wins for West Ham United and Leeds United.

Gabriel Martinelli's goal just after halftime sealed the points for Arsenal to crank up the pressure on second-placed Manchester City, who were playing struggling Bournemouth later on Saturday.

Danny Ings scored his first goals for West Ham as the hosts found the net four times in the second half to thump fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest 4-0 at the London Stadium.

New Leeds manager Javi Gracia's reign began with a vital 1-0 win over bottom club Southampton as Junior Firpo's goal snapped a 10-game winless run to move them out of the relegation zone.

Everton are back in the bttom three though as they went down 2-0 at home to Aston Villa.

Arsenal had a goal by Leandro Trossard ruled out by VAR in the first half but it was the Belgian who played the pass which allowed Brazilian Martinelli to score in the 46th minute.

"We deserved the result and we are so happy with the three points," Martinelli told Sky Sports. "We needed to win any way we could and we managed to do it."

Arsenal, bidding for a first title since 2004, have 57 points from 24 games played while champions City are on 52 ahead of their 25th game at Bournemouth (1730GMT).

RELEGATION BATTLE

The relegation battle is shaping up to be especially tense this season with clubs changing positions on a weekly basis.

Leeds had not won a league game since Nov. 5 but former Watford manager Gracia made an instant impact to lift the Yorkshire club to 17th spot, a point above the drop zone.

It ws Firpo who finally broke the deadlock in front of a raucous Elland Road crowd