London: Two goals each from Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and a wonderful back-heeled strike from Aaron Ramsey gave Arsenal a 5-1 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage in the Premier League, Sunday.
Later on the day, considered as title favourites Liverpool and defending champions Manchester City played out a goalless draw at the Anfield. Both the teams squandered quite a few scoring opportunities, but couldn’t find a goal.
Earlier, against the run of play, Lacazette opened the scoring in the 29th minute for Arsenal, collecting a pass from Nacho Monreal, spinning round past defender Tim Ream and rifling the ball low into the corner of the net from close range.
Fulham’s Andre Schurrle levelled the score just before the break, chipping calmly over Leno for his third league goal since joining the Cottagers in the summer on loan from Borussia Dortmund.
But the visitors ran rampant in the second half, with three unanswered goals. Lacazette scored his fourth league goal of the season before substitute Ramsey back-heeled in an exquisite third for the Gunners after a pass across the area from Aubameyang.
The Gabonese striker then took the game away from the home side with two more goals that left Fulham with the worst defensive record in the league by a distance, having let in four more goals than any other team.
In the other game, Chelsea, in their away fixture, thrashed Southampton 3-0. Eden Hazard opened the Blues’ scoring in the 30th minute before Ross Barkley double the advantage on 57 minutes. Spanish striker Alvaro Morata wrapped up the game for the visitors with a stoppage time strike.