Premier League leaders Arsenal opened up an eight-point gap on second-placed Manchester City with a 4-1 win over manager-less Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Palace sacked manager Patrick Vieira on Thursday after a 12-match winless run, and interim boss Paddy McCarthy could not end their torrid form as Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka scored in the first half before Granit Xhaka furthered Mikel Arteta's side's lead early in the second. Palace failed to capitalise on Jeffrey Schlupp's 63rd-minute goal and Saka scored again to make sure of victory late on. The Gunners, aiming to become champions for the first time since 2003-04, went ahead when Martinelli opened the scoring on 28 minutes. The Brazil international evaded Joel Ward and sent an effort into the far corner, beyond Joe Whitworth. Bukayo Saka doubled the lead on 43 minutes when he collected Ben White's pass and curled an effort past 19-year-old goalkeeper Joe Whitworth. Granit Xhaka made it 3-0 10 minutes after half-time, with Arsenal's 13th in their last four league matches. Saka fired home first-time from Kieran Tierney's cross to score his 12th league goal of the season in the 74th minute. Arsenal have 69 points from 28 matches, with second-placed Manchester City, who beat Burnley 6-0 in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, on 61 points having played a game less. Palace remain 12th in the Premier League table but are four points ahead of bottom side Southampton, and only three points above the relegation zone.
