Arsenal 1 – 0 Hull City
Martin Odegaard’s goal clinched a 1-0 win over Hull to send Arsenal six points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
Hull defended resolutely for over an hour at the Emirates Stadium but the pressure told when Odegaard reacted quickest to convert a rebound after Konstantinos Tzolakis had saved from Noni Madueke.
Arsenal struggled to create clear openings for much of the contest and lacked cutting edge in the first half as Kai Havertz wasted a one-on-one chance and Christos Tzolis spurned opportunities.
The hosts were also denied a penalty following a VAR check when Havertz was adjudged to have been offside as his shirt was pulled by Nobel Mendy near the end of the first period.
Hull were difficult to break down and went close to an opener when Elliot Stroud forced a fine save from a full-stretch David Raya, but Arsenal stepped up the intensity in the second half and eventually made the all-important breakthrough.
Odegaard’s goal, his first since a run of four in five games between August and September, extends their lead over Manchester City before Enzo Maresca’s side face Nottingham Forest.
More to follow…
Key moments from game
- 5: CHANCE! Ezri Konsa flicks a Noni Madueke cross to the far post but Gabriel can’t quite nudge it over the line
- 19 SAVE! Raya dives to his right to make a full-stretch save from Stroud as Hull threaten an opener
- 28: WIDE! Declan Rice fires a powerful shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box
- 40: WASTE! Havertz goes through on goal but tries to cut back onto his left foot and loses possession
- 44: VAR DRAMA! Arsenal are denied a penalty with Havertz penalised for offside as he is fouled by Mendy
- 57: CHANCE! Madueke forces a save from Tzolakis at his near post
- 72: GOAL! Odegaard makes the breakthrough as he coolly dinks his finish over Tzolakis following Madueke’s shot
- 87: CHANCE! Madueke misses a chance to wrap up the win as he is stopped while trying to round the goalkeeper before Hull clear the deflection off the line
