Fulham 0 - 3 Arsenal: A Dominant Performance

 I thought the Cottagers played pretty well for the most part, but it was nowhere near enough to stay in the game with a rampant Arsenal.  After a period of rough equality, with lots of pressing by both sides, we turned on the jets and blew them away.  Passing was crisp and we played at a fast pace.  Had the finishing been better, we could easily have had six goals.  Trossard had three first half assists, the first time a Premier League player has done that in an away match.  He looked fit.  Jesus even rose from the bench to play fifteen creditable minutes.  When we play like this we will beat anybody.

City won but Man U was held by bottom dwellers Southampton after Casemiro picked up another red card.  I guess they get the bad with the good with that guy.  It looks like a two-horse race for the title now.  City is so stacked that you can't rule out an 11 game win streak, and they have an easier schedule than the Gunners.  So every game is a must win for both teams, especially the game between them at the Etihad.  They beat us twice already, but there is reason to think that we can play with them and win.  It should be a good one.

At the other end of the table, a mere five points separate 12th place Palace (27) from last place Southampton (22).  It's going to be a mad scramble.  None of those teams are safe--two bad games can see any one of them in the relegation slots.  Wins will be precious. Goal difference could be crucial.  Palace ought to be in a good place now with their talent, but whatever Vieira is trying to do is not working.  I'd like to see him succeed, but how long will the owners give him?

Speaking of dominant performances, Arsenal Women crushed Reading 4-0 today.  They probably won't win the league this year, but they are lurking just behind the leaders and have to take care of business and hope for some help.  They also have a Champions' League game against Bayern Munich mid week.