London, Dec 29 (IANS) West Ham United prevented Arsenal a return to the top of the Premier League table by defeating the Gunners 2-0 at Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal were in first place at Christmas, but their setback on Thursday night dropped them two points behind leaders Liverpool. Meanwhile, West Ham has risen to sixth place, four points behind the top four.
Arsenal started strongly, applying plenty of pressure, but West Ham took the lead on 13 minutes, against the run of play.
West Ham were dealt a blow shortly after the half-hour mark when playmaker Lucas Paqueta was taken off and replaced by Said Benrahma, who seemed to be hurt during the warm-up.
Arsenal nearly equalized five minutes before halftime, but Bukayo Saka’s attempt hit the post and was cleared by West Ham’s defense.
Declan Rice launched a long-range shot that sailed narrowly past the crossbar early in the second half. Former Arsenal defender Mavropanos, however, scored against his old team moments later, rising above Gabriel to smash in a header via the crossbar from a James Ward-Prowse corner.
Gabriel Jesus could have done better with his own headers, sending the first straight at Alphonse Areola and then sending the second over the bar, but that was the closest Arsenal came to a comeback.
West Ham saw out the final stages in relative ease, and Benrahma had a great chance to make it 3-0 in stoppage time from the penalty spot, awarded for Rice’s foul on Emerson Palmieri, but David Raya saved his effort.
