Arsenal step up, Marmoush treble lifts Man City

 Arsenal ignored their injury woes to close the gap on Premier League leaders, Liverpool, as Mikel Merino inspired a 2-0 win against Leicester, while Omar Marmoush’s hat-trick fired Manchester City’s 4-0 rout of top four rivals Newcastle on Saturday.

Mikel Arteta sent on Spain midfielder, Merino, to act as a makeshift striker in the closing stages.

It proved an inspired move as Merino netted twice in the last nine minutes to extend Arsenal’s unbeaten run in the league to 15 games.

In the 81st minute, Ethan Nwaneri swung a pin-point cross into the Leicester area and Merino found space to thump his header past Mads Herman­sen from six yards.

Seven minutes later, Leandro Trossard whipped a cross into the six-yard box and Merino’s well-timed run eluded the Leicester defence as he slotted home to move second-placed Arsenal within four points of Liverpool.

At the Etihad Stadium, Egypt forward Omar Marmoush scored his first City goals since arriving from Eintracht Frank­furt during the January transfer window.

Marmoush ended a run of four games without a goal in the 19th minute as he sprinted onto Ederson’s long kick and deftly lobbed Newcastle keeper Martin Dubravka.

Just five minutes later, Mar­moush found the back of the net again with a powerful blast that took a deflection off Kier­an Trippier as it whistled past Dubravka.

He completed his 14-minute hat-trick in the 33rd minute.

Savinho’s pass found Mar­moush in the Newcastle area and he was granted time and space to slot home for the first treble of his career.

James McAtee’s 84th minute volley capped a much-needed boost for City.

But there was a scare for City when Norway striker, Erling Haaland, was forced off with a potential knee injury in the closing stages.

Third-placed, Nottingham Forest, slumped to a 2-1 defeat at Fulham.

Emile Smith Rowe netted in the 15th minute for Fulham and although Chris Wood equal­ised in the 37th minute, Calvin Bassey’s header sealed the points in the 62nd minute.

Bournemouth are up to fifth after goals from Dango Ouat­tara, Ryan Christie and Marcus Tavernier in a 3-1 win at bottom of the table Southampton.

Ten-man Ipswich held on for a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa.

Everton won 2-1 at Crystal Palace thanks to an 80th minute goal from Carlos Alcaraz on his first league start for the club. –AFP