Arsenal overcome Hull to stretch lead, Okafor sinks Spurs after Leeds survive major VAR scare

Arsenal beat stubborn Hull 1-0 to stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League to six points on Saturday while Tottenham’s recent revival was halted at Leeds.

Mikel Arteta’s Gunners were strongly tipped to get the better of the visitors, who have not won in the league since August, but were made to sweat despite dominating the match.

Captain Martin Odegaard finally broke the deadlock for the champions and title favourites in the 72nd minute to give Arsenal their ninth win in 10 games.

Arsenal, who hogged possession at the Emirates, had a claim for a penalty in the closing minutes of the first half after Kai Havertz had his shirt pulled by Nobel Mendy.

But VAR ruled that Havertz was in an offside position in the build-up.

Frustration mounted as the second half unfolded but Odegaard came to Arsenal’s rescue, scoring his first goal since early September with a poacher’s finish.

Noni Madueke cut in from the right before unleashing a left-footed shot that Hull goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis spilled, with Odegaard firing home from close range.

Leeds survived a major VAR controversy against Tottenham before striking late through substitute Noah Okafor to end the visitors’ winning run.

Swiss winger Okafor scored 97 seconds after being introduced late in the game as the home side were rewarded for an impressive second-half performance.

The major talking point in the first period was a challenge by Leeds defender Jayden Bogle on Spurs winger Mathys Tel, which was reviewed for a potential red card by VAR officials before eventually being cleared.

Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi, disappointed by his team’s second-half showing, refused to be drawn on the incident after the game, which was not reviewed on the pitchside monitor by referee John Brooks.

“In the first situation of Mathys Tel I didn’t see, I can’t say nothing,” he told TNT Sports.

He added: “I have big confidence in the referee. Nothing changes if he goes to watch the clip or not. I think there was the VAR and if they didn’t take the right decision, I don’t know, but we have confidence.”

Defeat is a bitter blow for Spurs, who arrived at Elland Road on the back of three straight wins after a shocking start to the season left them bottom of the Premier League.

Leeds, on the eve of the international break, have snapped a five-match winless run and climbed to eighth in the table ahead of the later matches on Saturday.

Leeds boss Daniel Farke said his team had shown “great spirit, great commitment, great unity today”, adding that they were deserving winners.

Elsewhere, Jacob Murphy put Newcastle on course for a much-needed win with a spectacular strike in the 80th minute at Craven Cottage but substitute Rodrigo Muniz levelled just three minutes later to earn a 1-1 draw.

Earlier, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall responded to being left out of England’s squad by helping his club Everton to a 3-1 comeback victory over Coventry City.

Dewsbury-Hall was not named in the squad for this month’s Nations League matches against Croatia and Spain, with England boss Thomas Tuchel saying that the Everton midfielder had been close to making the cut.

A few hours after the squad was announced, Dewsbury-Hall scored to round off Everton’s win and add to teammate Thierno Barry’s two goals.

“It was a disappointing morning, I’m not going to lie. It’s a massive dream of mine to play for my country. I know I was close,” the 28-year-old told Sky Sports after the home win.

“(I’m) sad, yeah, but really proud of myself and the way I have reacted. All I can keep doing is putting in good performances and hopefully one day I get the nod, because I’m never going to give up.

“I’ve got the mentality. I’ll keep pushing and pushing and see what happens.”

England, second in Nations League Group C, host Croatia at Wembley on November 12 before travelling to Madrid to face Spain three days later.

Agencies