London: Arsenal cruised past Sunderland with a 4-1 win on Saturday to keep pace in the Premier League title race, with goals from Olivier Giroud, Tomas Rosicky and Laurent Koscielny.
Giroud opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a first-time finish past Sunderland goalkeeper Vito Mannone. Giroud struck again in the 31st when he intercepted a sloppy back pass from Santiago Vergini intended for Mannone and slotted the ball underneath Arsenal's former backup 'keeper.
Rosicky scored in the 42nd with a chip after a string of one-time passes from Arsenal, and Koscielny netted with a free header in the 57th. Sunderland substitute Emanuele Giaccherini scored a late consolation goal in the 81st.
In another match, West Ham came from behind to beat Southampton 3-1, moving the London club up to mid-table. Southampton defender Maya Yoshida opened the scoring in the eighth minute with his first league goal, rising above the West Ham defense to head home from a free kick.
The Hammers then scored twice in three minutes, with Matthew Jarvis beating the offside trap and netting past goalkeeper Artur Boruc to equalize in the 20th. Carlton Cole then put the Hammers ahead in the 23rd when he lashed the ball past Boruc.
Kevin Nolan's acrobatic volley in the 71st sealed the victory. West Ham is in 10th place with 31 points, while Southampton is in eighth with 39.
Comments
0 comment