Arsenal Beat Hull 1-0, Extend Lead by Six Points

Arsenal have beaten Hull City 1-0 to extend their Premier League lead to six points, while Tottenham Hotspur’s winning run ended with a 1-0 defeat to Leeds United on Saturday.

Mikel Arteta’s side dominated possession at the Emirates Stadium but struggled to break down a stubborn Hull defence.

The Gunners finally found the breakthrough in the 72nd minute through captain Martin Odegaard. The midfielder scored his first goal since early September to secure Arsenal’s ninth win in 10 league matches.

The goal came after Noni Madueke cut in from the right and fired a left-footed shot. Hull goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis failed to hold the effort, allowing Odegaard to score from close range.

Arsenal had earlier appealed for a penalty after Nobel Mendy pulled Kai Havertz’s shirt in the closing minutes of the first half. However, VAR ruled that Havertz was offside in the build-up.

Despite the narrow win, Arteta praised his players for their recent performances but urged them to become more clinical in front of goal.

“I think it is time to praise my players. What they have done not only today but after the international break is remarkable because of the games,” he told the BBC.

He added: “We have some great moments, we need to put the chances we are creating against the opponent into the scoreline. That is what we need to improve.”

Meanwhile, Tottenham’s three-match winning run ended after Leeds substitute Noah Okafor scored in the 79th minute at Elland Road. The match also featured a controversial first-half incident involving Leeds defender Jayden Bogle and Spurs winger Mathys Tel.

VAR officials reviewed Bogle’s challenge for a possible red card but cleared the defender. Tel later left the pitch shortly before half-time. Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi declined to criticise referee John Brooks over the decision.

“In the first situation of Mathys Tel I didn’t see, I can’t say nothing,” he told TNT Sports after the defeat.

He added: “I have big confidence in the referee. Nothing changes if he goes to watch the clip or not. I think there was the VAR and if they didn’t take the right decision, I don’t know, but we have confidence.”

The defeat was a setback for Spurs, who had shown signs of recovery after a difficult start to the season.

Leeds manager Daniel Farke praised his players after they ended a five-match winless run in the league. He said his team had shown “great spirit, great commitment, great unity”. Elsewhere, Newcastle United and Fulham drew 1-1 at Craven Cottage.

Jacob Murphy gave Newcastle the lead with a superb strike in the 80th minute. However, substitute Rodrigo Muniz equalised three minutes later to earn Fulham a point.

Manchester City had the chance to reduce Arsenal’s lead to three points with a win over Nottingham Forest in the late kick-off.

City, who had won their first seven Premier League matches under manager Enzo Maresca, were also awaiting the outcome of their financial charges case.

The club has been found guilty of more than 100 alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules. A points deduction is one possible punishment.