Replay: Fulham 2:1 Arsenal Watch all the highlights goals and drama here as Liverpool given added advantage
Bukayo Saka scores Arsenal’s first goal against Fulham
Bukayo Saka is now Arsenal’s top scorer in the Premier League this season with six goals in 2023-24
Arsenal missed the chance to go top of the Premier League at New Year after a disappointing defeat at Fulham.
Bukayo Saka put the Gunners ahead inside five minutes but Raul Jimenez equalised on his return from suspension, before Bobby Decordova-Reid scrambled home the winner on the hour.
The loss left Arsenal fourth and two points behind leaders Liverpool, who host Newcastle on New Year’s Day.
Fulham are 13th after ending a run of three straight defeats.
Arsenal made the perfect start with a fifth-minute opener following a quick break from the back. Gabriel Martinelli’s curling shot from the left was palmed out by former Gunners keeper Bernd Leno, allowing Saka to stick out a right leg and loop the ball into the net from six yards.
But Fulham reacted well and equalised in the 29th minute when Willian, another ex-Arsenal player in the home ranks, fed captain Tom Cairney down the left and his dangerous low cross was swept in by Jimenez.
Marco Silva’s men deservedly claimed the winner from a corner when Decordova-Reid stabbed a finish past David Raya following pinball in the box – condemning Arsenal to consecutive losses following the 2-0 home defeat to West Ham on Thursday.
More follows.
Line-ups
Fulham
Formation 4-2-3-1
17LenoBooked at 90mins
21Castagne
4Tosin
3BasseyBooked at 77mins
33Robinson
26João Palhinha
10CairneyBooked at 65mins Substituted forReedat 90+3’minutes
14De Cordova-Reid Substituted forWilsonat 80’minutes
22Iwobi Substituted forPereiraat 72’minutes
20Willian Substituted forDiopat 80’minutes
7JiménezBooked at 90mins
Substitutes
1Rodák
2Tete
6Reed
8Wilson
12Ballo-Touré
18Pereira
19Muniz Carvalho
28Lukic
31Diop
Arsenal
Formation 4-3-3
22Raya
4White Substituted forGabriel Jesusat 67’minutes
2SalibaBooked at 86mins
6Gabriel
15Kiwior Substituted forTomiyasuat 45’minutes
8Ødegaard
41Rice
29Havertz Substituted forNelsonat 77’minutes
7Saka
14Nketiah
11Martinelli Substituted forTrossardat 67’minutes
Substitutes
1Ramsdale
9Gabriel Jesus
10Smith Rowe
17Cédric Soares
18Tomiyasu
19Trossard
20Jorginho
24Nelson
25Elneny
Referee:
Josh Smith
Attendance:
24,444
Match Stats
Live Text
Match ends, Fulham 2, Arsenal 1.
Second Half ends, Fulham 2, Arsenal 1.
Bernd Leno (Fulham) is shown the yellow card.
Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Tosin Adarabioyo.
Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Antonee Robinson.
Attempt blocked. Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Martin Ødegaard with a cross.
Substitution, Fulham. Harrison Reed replaces Tom Cairney.
Raúl Jiménez (Fulham) is shown the yellow card.
Offside, Fulham. Raúl Jiménez is caught offside.
Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Calvin Bassey.
Andreas Pereira (Fulham) hits the bar with a right footed shot from outside the box from a direct free kick.
William Saliba (Arsenal) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by William Saliba (Arsenal).
Harry Wilson (Fulham) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Attempt missed. Harry Wilson (Fulham) left footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the right following a corner.
Corner, Fulham. Conceded by Gabriel Magalhães.
Attempt blocked. Raúl Jiménez (Fulham) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is blocked. Assisted by Antonee Robinson.
Hand ball by Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal).
Foul by Bukayo Saka (Arsenal).
João Palhinha (Fulham) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Fulham
Arsenal
Fulham
Starting XI
Squad number 17 Player name Leno
Squad number21Player nameCastagne
Squad number4Player nameTosin
Squad number3Player nameBassey
Squad number33Player nameRobinson
Squad number26Player nameJoão Palhinha
Squad number10Player nameCairney
Squad number14Player nameDe Cordova-Reid
Squad number 22 Player name Iwobi
Squad number20Player nameWillian
Squad number7Player nameJiménez
Substitutes
Squad number6Player nameReed
Squad number8Player nameWilson
Squad number18Player nameAndreas Pereira
Squad number31Player nameDiop
Arsenal
Starting XI
Squad number22Player nameRaya
Squad number4Player nameWhite
Squad number2Player nameSaliba
Squad number6Player nameGabriel Magalhães
Squad number15Player nameKiwior
Squad number8Player nameØdegaard
Squad number41Player nameRice
Squad number29Player nameHavertz
Squad number7Player nameSaka
Squad number14Player nameNketiah
Squad number11Player nameGabriel Martinelli
Substitutes
Squad number9Player nameGabriel Jesus
Squad number18Player nameTomiyasu
Squad number19Player nameTrossard
Squad number 24 Player name Nelson
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