Arsenal Thrash Spurs as Aston Villa Rally Past Leeds

Arsenal Crush Tottenham to Extend Lead at the Top

Arsenal delivered a statement performance at the Emirates, dismantling rivals Tottenham 4–1 to assert their title credentials and move six points clear at the top of the Premier League.

From the first whistle, Mikel Arteta’s side played with intent, overwhelming Spurs with pace, control and relentless pressure. Their breakthrough came shortly before the half-hour mark when Leandro Trossard latched onto a perfectly weighted scoop pass from Mikel Merino, turning sharply to fire goalward. A deflection off Micky van de Ven guided the shot past Guglielmo Vicario for 1–0.

The Emirates roared again minutes later. Eberechi Eze, instrumental throughout, danced through two challenges inside the box before smashing a low drive into the bottom corner to double the advantage. Arsenal entered the break dominant, leading 2–0 and boasting several other chances from Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, and Timber.

Eze Completes a Derby Hat-Trick

Barely 40 seconds into the second half, Arsenal killed the contest. Timber’s persistence down the right created space for Eze, who needed only one touch to set himself before guiding a calm finish into the far corner for 3–0.

Tottenham attempted to respond and briefly found hope when Richarlison caught David Raya off his line, lobbing him from distance to pull one back. But that respite was short-lived.

Arsenal’s pressure resumed, and with 15 minutes to play, Trossard once again found Eze at the edge of the box. The England international curled home a stunning shot to seal his hat-trick and put the tie beyond doubt.

With three goals, the match ball and derby bragging rights secured, Eze capped one of Arsenal’s most emphatic North London Derby showings in recent years.

Aston Villa Fight Back to Beat Leeds and Break Into the Top Four

At Elland Road, Aston Villa produced a gritty and mature second-half performance to overturn a 1–0 deficit and claim a crucial 2–1 victory against Leeds United.

Leeds began the match with purpose and went ahead early. A dangerous free-kick caused chaos in the Villa penalty area, and a scrambled clearance ricocheted off Lukas Nmecha and into the net. The hosts continued to press aggressively, unsettling Villa, who struggled to find rhythm.

Just before the break, Ollie Watkins curled narrowly wide in Villa’s best first-half chance, but Unai Emery knew changes were needed.

Rogers Sparks Villa’s Comeback

Villa emerged from the interval revitalized. Substitute Donyell Malen made an immediate impact, bursting down the right before delivering a pinpoint cross for Morgan Rogers, who lifted the ball over Lucas Perri for the equaliser within minutes of the restart.

With momentum shifting, Villa took control of midfield, pushed Leeds deeper and began carving chances with increasing confidence.

Their reward came midway through the second half. From a free-kick just outside the area, Rogers stepped up again, bending a superb dipping strike over the wall and into the net to complete the turnaround.

Leeds thought they had equalised shortly after, but Daniel James’ finish was correctly ruled out after Dominic Calvert-Lewin handled the ball in the build-up.

Villa remained composed, defended expertly, and saw out the final stages despite late pressure from the hosts, including a powerful header from Pascal Struijk that Emiliano Martínez saved superbly.

What the Results Mean

Arsenal’s victory sends a clear message to their title rivals as they continue to set the pace at the top of the table. With Eze in electric form and their attacking structure clicking, Arteta’s men look every bit the league leaders.

For Aston Villa, the win marks nine victories in eleven matches across all competitions and propels them into the top four, further validating Unai Emery’s remarkable resurgence of the club.

Leeds, meanwhile, remain in the relegation zone and face mounting pressure, despite a spirited first half and improved home form.