English Premier League: Arsenal extend competition lead with victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers

Arsenal have taken the chance to open up a four-point lead at the top of the English Premier League with a 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, while Everton have enjoyed their first win since being docked 10 points, as they beat Nottingham Forest.

Burnley earned home points for the first time this season by hammering Sheffield United, who ended the day rock bottom.

Early goals by Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard put Arsenal in control against Wolves at The Emirates, but Mikel Arteta's side had to withstand a late rally by the visitors.

Bukayo Saka celebrates a goal against Wolves.
Bukayo Saka celebrates a goal against Wolves. Photo credit: Getty Images

Arsenal now hold their largest lead of the table since April, when they were five clear of eventual champions Manchester City. Arteta needs no reminding of how that title race panned out, with his side ultimately collapsing, but they again showing the consistency to sustain a long challenge.

Arsenal have 33 points from 14 games with City on 29, before their home game against injury-hit Tottenham Hotspur. Liverpool and Aston Villa, who have 28 points, are also in action against Fulham and Bournemouth.

"It's been a good week with some good results," said Arsenal skipper Odegaard. "We're there at the top and we have to keep improving and keep pushing.

"The schedule is tough, but almost the whole season is tough."

 

Everton win

By the time Everton kicked off at the City Ground, they were bottom - courtesy of Burnley's win and the 10-point sanction for breaking financial sustainability rules.

Sean Dyche's team responded with a battling victory, secured by Dwight McNeil's powerful finish in the 67th minute and resolute defending, as Forest threw everything into attack.

Burnley could hardly have had a better opportunity to register their first points at Turf Moor since gaining promotion and they took it in emphatic fashion, their 5-0 win the joint best by a side starting the day bottom of the league.

Vincent Kompany's side, the only one in the top four divisions without a home point, needed only 15 seconds to take the lead, as Charlie Taylor's cross was glanced in by Jay Rodriguez. Jacob Bruun Larsen made it 2-0, before Sheffield United's Oli McBurnie was sent off on the stroke of halftime, after his second yellow card for an elbow.

Zeki Amdouni and Luca Koleosho stretched Burnley's lead after the break, and Josh Brownhill completed Burnley's biggest-ever win.

"The lads deserve all the credit they can get it," Kompany told Sky Sports. "It's not been a one-off - we've had performances like that this season," 

Brentford bounced back from their defeat by Arsenal to beat Luton Town 3-1 at home to move 10th, all the goals coming in the second half.

French striker Neal Maupay broke the ice on a freezing day in the capital by sweeping home from close range in the 49th minute. Ben Mee headed in from a corner in the 56th minute and although Luton pulled a goal back through Jacob Brown, Brentford's Shandon Baptiste made sure of the win.

Defeat left Luton in 17th place on nine points, two clear of the dropzone. Everton climbed to 18th place with seven points, above Burnley on goal difference, and Sheffield United have five points.

Reuters