Sunday Fulham Stuff - 03/05/26...

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Results

Saturday 02/05
Brentford	3-0	West Ham
Newcastle	3-1	Brighton
Wolves	1-1	Sunderland
Arsenal	3-0	Fulham

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Arsenal 3-0 Fulham

At a glance

    Viktor Gyokeres scores Arsenal opener for 20th goal of season

    Bukayo Saka adds second on his 200th Premier League start - and first since March

    Gyokeres makes it 3-0 in first-half stoppage time

    Arsenal now six points clear of Manchester City at top of table, Fulham in 10th

Arsenal moved six points clear at the top of the Premier League with Bukayo Saka playing a starring role and Viktor Gyokeres taking his season's goal tally to 21 as they comfortably beat Fulham at Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta's men took the chance to pile the pressure on title rivals Manchester City who have played two games fewer than the Gunners and are not in action until Monday when they visit Everton.

Arsenal went ahead in the ninth minute when Saka, making his first start since March after an Achilles injury, easily beat Raul Jimenez down the right and picked out Gyokeres to tap in from close range for his 20th goal of the campaign.

The Swedish striker then turned provider five minutes before the break when he slipped a pass into Saka and the England winger curled a quality low finish past Fulham keeper Bernd Leno at his near post.

Gyokeres then claimed his second on the night when he headed home Leandro Trossard's cross to wrap up the three points in first-half stoppage time.

The Gunners almost added a fourth when Riccardo Calafiori headed on to the crossbar, with the Italian having had an earlier strike ruled out for offside.

Having made five changes to his starting line-up, Arteta was also able to take off Saka at half-time and rest other key players as focus moved to Arsenal's Champions League semi-final second-leg tie against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. The game is finely poised at 1-1 for the return leg at Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal analysis: Perfect display sets up Champions League test
This match could not have gone any better for Arsenal and Arteta.

With Manchester City having been in FA Cup action last week and not playing until Monday, they made the most of their chance to extend their lead in top spot and ease relieve some of the tension.

Boss Arteta has to be given credit for taking what could be perceived as risk by playing left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield for the first time and leaving out Martin Zubimendi, who has played the most minutes of any outfielder in the Gunners squad.

The 19-year-old Lewis-Skelly looked assured in the role and, with Calafiori, Saka and Eberechi Eze all in the side, the Arsenal attack flowed better than it has done for many weeks.

Saka, who started on the right flank for the first time since the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City, was at his scintillating best and a constant threat before he was withdrawn at half-time.

Gyokeres backed up a good performance against Atletico in midweek with a double here and, despite some criticism following his summer arrival from Sporting, a 21-goal haul in all competitions is a good return.

The last Arsenal player to score 20-plus goals in their debut season was Alexis Sanchez in the 2014-15 campaign.

Arteta's side also boosted their goal difference, moving four clear of City and also one ahead on goals scored.

The Gunners are now three games away from lifting their first title in 22 years and, if they can overcome Atleti on Tuesday, will reach a first Champions League final since 2006 to mark a monumental season for the club.

Fulham analysis: Silva's side below par in blow to Euro hopes
As impressive as Arsenal were, Marco Silva's Fulham were extremely poor.

Pinned back for most of the first half, they were fortunate not to be further behind at the break.

They had an expected goal (xG) of just 0.43 and registered only one shot on target, which shows how little they threatened their hosts.

Silva's sides are usually well organised and dangerous on the counter-attack, but Fulham showed little of either quality as they missed the opportunity to join sixth-placed Brentford on 51 points had they won.

They remain in 10th spot and will need to perform much better in the run-in if they are to qualify for Europe next season.

What's next for these teams?
Arsenal host Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday, 5 May (20:00 BST), before they visit West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday, 10 May (16:30).

Fulham take on Bournemouth at home in the Premier League next Saturday, 9 May (15:00).



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c362np6j0ndt

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Post-Arsenal Press Conference
Marco Silva says Fulham made Arsenal's life "too easy" in a first half that ultimately condemned us to defeat at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

A Viktor Gyökeres double and an effort from the impressive Bukayo Saka saw us three down at the break, and despite an improved performance after the restart, that was the way things stayed.

"Of course, we have to congratulate Arsenal for the three points, but we made their life too easy," he said. "Too easy in the first half, the way we were not at the level that this type of game demands from ourselves.

"One thing is making us to be a team that is always hard to play against, because we are always very competitive, we are always brave. We have a clear identity how to play, and during the first half, all these aspects, they were not on the pitch.

"We expected Arsenal to start in the way they did. We planned to try to start strong, too, and to try to express ourselves, to express ourselves on the pitch.

"Sometimes it's not easy to set your game straightaway when you come to these type of places – their quality, their capacity to press.

"You have to be strong in some individual duels, we have to be able to hold the ball, you have to be able to beat your man, and, of course, off the ball, we have to do the basics well.

"And, this afternoon, if you look at the way we conceded the three goals during the first half, we are not at the level that the Premier League demands from you. I'm not talking about the game against Arsenal – [but the level that the] Premier League demands from you.

"We were not able to defend the box like we should defend, and to be strong enough in that type of moment. And that was the reason why the first half was a big frustration from us, and a disappointing performance from ourselves in all aspects of the game.

"We were second best in almost everything during the first half. Clear conversation at half-time, the message was clear for them. Okay, was our obligation.

"The minimum we should have done is to do completely different things second half. We did it, but was too late already, and the damage was there."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2026/may/02/post-arsenal-press-conference/

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Arsenal breeze past Fulham to provide perfect boost to title chase and that defining Champions League date
Premier League

Arsenal (3) 3 Gyokeres 9, 45+3 Saka 40

Fulham (0) 0

Arsenal rediscovered the art of winning comfortably in a performance which seemed more like the ones they were delivering so regularly at the start of the season rather than the stodgy fare of late.

They raced out of the blocks and blew Fulham away with a dazzling first half show that ensured they move six points clear of Man City - albeit having played two games more.

With just three to play, their points in the bag are precious. City travel to Everton on Monday night in the first of those games in hand.

The performance and result is a massive shot in the arm and ensures the mood and confidence will be dialled up to the max in midweek for the Champions League semi-final showdown against Atletico Madrid.

The start was full of pace and positivity. No signs of any fatigue after the trip to Madrid for the first leg. Myles Lewis-Skelly clearly relishing an all-too rare start. Leandro Trossard soon firing narrowly off target and looking in fine nick.

Within 10 minutes, the Gunners had the lead they craved as Bukayo Saka - captaining the side - skipped around Raul Jimenez, who slipped - and rolled a ball into the six yard box for Viktor Gyokeres to tap in for his 20th goal of the season.

He may have been maligned at times, but that is a decent return in his first season at the club.

The goal came in the same minute as the one last week which eventually accounted for Newcastle, but the aim was to avoid a repeat of the stressful match which unfolded then against the Magpies. They wanted a much bigger margin of error.

Fulham were struggling to get a kick. Sasa Lukic was booked for a trip on Ebere Eze as frustration got the better of the Serb. The Whites have never won an away fixture against the Gunners and were once again found wanting on their visit to north London. The only fleetingly offered their fans hope.

Bernd Leno spilled a cross but made amends by blocking Gyokeres' subsequent low shot and then Saka blasted the rebound wide, with the goal gaping. Next, Leandro Trossard floated a lovely ball up to the back stick and Riccardo Calafiori headed in - only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

The fine front-foot play got the reward it deserved. Eze found Gyokeres with a ball into the right channel and the Swede held it up before laying off for Saka to burst into the box and fire into the bottom corner.

Tails up, Calafiori made another of his swashbuckling darts into space before laying off for Eze to bend a shot just too wide. The Gunners did not want the half to end and with good reason.

One final attack - countering some rare venturing forward by the Whites - ended with Trossard lifting the perfect cross for Gyokeres to nod past Leno. It ended a joyous first half for the Gunners.

Mikel Arteta had the luxury now of withdrawing Saka at the interval to save him for Tuesday night against Atleti. Declan Rice followed just past the hour.

Marco Silva looked less than happy at his team's passive display and saw his side show more fight at the restart. Jimenez's shot from distance did not clear the bar by much.

Timothy Castagne's near-post flicked header at a corner also went close. The defender also had a snap shot at David Raya after the ball broke for him on the edge of the box following a corner.

Although goal difference could yet come into play in the title race, Arsenal were more about good game management than going hell for leather in search of more goals. But they nearly added to their tally when Calafiori won a header that bounced off the head of Leno onto the crossbar.

And Max Dowman's weaving run from half way - while surrounded by White shirts - finished with him getting a shot away that would have been contender for goal of the season had it been on target.

Gunners: (4-2-3-1) Raya, White (Mosquera 83), Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori - Rice (Zubimendi 64), Lewis-Skelly - Saka (Madueke h/t), Eze (Dowman 77), Trossard - Gyokeres (Jesus 64)

Whites: (4-2-3-1) Leno - Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson - Lukic, Reed (Cairney 64) - Wilson (Bobb 64), Smith Rowe (Kusi-Asare 78), Chukwueze (King 64) - Jimenez (Muniz 73)

Attendance: 60,196



https://www.capitalfootball.co.uk/single-post/arsenal-breeze-past-fulham-to-provide-perfect-boost-to-title-chase-and-red-hot-champions-league-date

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Arsenal 3-0 Fulham: Gunners move six points clear of Man City in Premier League title race
North Londoners have a huge Champions League semi-final to prepare for on Tuesday

Viktor Gyokeres scored twice as Arsenal sent out an emphatic Premier League title warning to Manchester City with a 3-0 victory against Fulham at the Emirates Stadium.

Bukayo Saka, making his first start since Arsenal lost to City in the Carabao Cup final on March 22, was the architect, laying on Gyokeres' ninth-minute opener before he then doubled his side's advantage with five minutes of the opening period left.

Gyokeres increased Arsenal's tally to three prior to the interval when he headed home Leandro Trossard's cross in first-half stoppage time.

The Gunners now lead City by six points, with a better goal difference of four having played two matches more.

Pep Guardiola's side are up against Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and then at home to Brentford before Arsenal's next league outing against relegation-threatened West Ham, a week on Sunday.

Arsenal have been a bundle of nerves at the Emirates for much of the calendar year as they chase their first league title in 22 years.

But here the shackles were off as Mikel Arteta's men delivered possibly their best first-half performance of the season to breathe fresh impetus into their stuttering championship chase.

Saka has been sorely missed with an Achilles injury and, after two substitute appearances, the England international was unleashed from the start here. And his impact was felt within the opening nine minutes.

Arsenal's short free-kick appeared to be going nowhere, but after he received the ball from Myles Lewis-Skelly, Saka cut back on his left foot to leave Raul Jimenez on the Emirates turf.

Jimenez's sudden exit from the act allowed Saka to play a slide-rule pass across the six-yard box and Gyokeres could not miss.

A week ago against Newcastle, Arsenal opened their account in the ninth minute, too, only to be struck down by crippling anxiety and a departure of composure.

However, this was a different team altogether – perhaps one buoyed by their 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.

Fulham were prisoners in their own half and Riccardo Calafiori looked to have landed Arsenal a well-deserved two-goal lead after 29 minutes only for VAR to intervene – the defender having strayed offside.

Arsenal needed a second, not only with goal difference to play a possibly decisive role in this title race, but to allay any doubt they would not take all three points. And Saka delivered in the 40th minute.

Eberechi Eze's exquisite pass found Gyokeres in the right-hand channel and he dissected two Fulham defenders to reach Saka, with the England man seeing off Bernd Leno at his near post.

The Emirates was still celebrating when Trossard was afforded the freedom of north London to race unopposed to the Fulham area before he crossed for Gyokeres who headed back across Leno to complete his brace.

With Arsenal's second leg with Atletico here on Tuesday in mind, Saka was replaced at the interval and Gyokeres might have had his hat-trick on the hour mark only for Leno to stand firm.

Gyokeres was soon withdrawn and Declan Rice, too – a luxury that Arteta may not have foreseen before kick-off.

David Raya saved well from Timothy Castagne and one-time Arsenal youngster, Emile Smith Rowe, rippled the side netting. Calafiori's header from Madueke's corner then crashed off the crossbar.

There would be no fourth for the hosts, but with just three games left – against West Ham, Burnley and Crystal Palace – Arsenal have renewed hope of winning their first title since 2004. The onus is now on City to see how long they remain there.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-fc-fulham-premier-league-title-race-b1280865.html

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Fulham outclassed by title-chasing Arsenal
Fulham were well beaten at the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal moved six points clear at the top of the Premier League with a comfortable victory.

A clinical first-half display from the Gunners, inspired West Londoner Bukayo Saka, left Marco Silva's side with too much to do.

Viktor Gyokeres took his tally for the season to 21 goals with a brace, while Saka marked his first start since March with a goal and an assist.

The visitors fell behind after just nine minutes. Saka, showing no signs of the Achilles injury that had sidelined him recently, skipped past Raul Jimenez on the right flank before squaring for Gyokeres to tap in from close range.

Fulham struggled to gain a foothold in the contest and Bernd Leno was kept busy in the Whites' goal.

While Riccardo Calafiori had a strike ruled out for offside by VAR, the pressure eventually told again five minutes before the break.

Gyokeres turned provider on this occasion, finding Saka, who ghosted into the box and beat Leno with a low, precise finish at the near post.

The game was effectively ended as a contest in first-half stoppage time. Leandro Trossard was given too much space to cross from the left, picking out Gyokeres, who headed home his second of the night.

Fulham showed more fight in the second period and nearly pulled a goal back through former Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe, who hit the side netting, while Timothy Castagne saw an effort saved by David Raya.

Leno also did well to deny Gyokeres a hat-trick on the hour mark, and Calafiori saw a header strike the woodwork, but the damage had already been done during a one-sided first half.

The Whites will look to bounce back when they host Bournemouth at Craven Cottage next Saturday.
Fulham: Leno, Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson, Reed (Cairney 63), Lukic, Wilson (Bobb 63), Smith Rowe (Kusi-Asare 78), (King 63) Chukwueze, Jinenez (Muniz 73)
Subs not used Lecomte, Tete, Diop, Cuenca.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-outclassed-by-title-chasing-arsenal

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Fulham 'second best' and 'not at the level, Silva admits
Marco Silva confirmed Fulham were hampered by a sickness bug in the lead-up to their 3-0 defeat at Arsenal – but he refused to use that as an excuse for his team's woeful display.

Sander Berge was absent from the squad because of the illness, while other players have been affected over the past few days

"Yes, a virus at the training ground; some players, some staff members too," Whites boss Silva said.

"That was the reason why Sander was not in the squad list. Some of them had a completely different week.

"It's not the reason why in the first half we weren't at the level. I don't like to start the press conference in this way, because it looks like the easiest explanation, or easiest way to find an excuse."

Viktor Gyokeres scored twice and the Ealing-born Bukayo Saka also netted in a resounding win for the title-chasing Gunners.

"We made their life too easy, too easy, that first half, the way we were not at a level that this type of game demands from ourselves," Silva admitted.

"One thing that is making us be a team that is always hard to play against, because we are always very competitive, we are always brave, we have a clear identity how to play, and during the first half, all these aspects were not on the pitch.

"We expected Arsenal to start in the way they did. We planned to start, to try to start strong too, and to try to express ourselves, to spread ourselves on the pitch.

"Sometimes it's not easy to set your game straightaway when you come to this type of place—their quality, their capacity to press, they let the game go for individual moments, which is not easy sometimes to beat.

"Come that moment that you have to be strong in some individual duels, you have to be able to hold the ball, you have to be able to beat your man. And of course off the ball you have to be—to do the basics, the basics well.

"If you look at the way we conceded the three goals during the first half, we are not at the level that the Premier League demands from you.

"And that was the reason why the first half was a big frustration from us and a disappointing performance from ourselves in all aspects of the game. We were second best in almost everything during the first half."

Silva also said Emile Smith Rowe was taken off in the second half because of cramp."



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-second-best-and-not-at-the-level-silva-admits