UPDATE 1-Soccer-Arsenal run riot in second half to win 5-1 at Fulham
Two goals from Frenchman Alexandre Lacazette, a wonderful back-heeled strike from Aaron Ramsey and two more from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave Arsenal a 5-1 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage in the Premier League on Sunday.
Fulham pressed forward in the opening minutes as they looked for their first win over Arsenal since January 2012, and Argentine midfielder Luciano Vietto very nearly beat Gunners keeper Bernd Leno in the second minute.
Fulham's powerful Serbian forward Aleksandar Mitrovic also had a number of half-chances but was unable to get any clear shots in on goal, with perhaps his best attempt a thumped volley over the bar from outside the area.
Against the run of play, Lacazette opened the scoring in the 29th minute for Arsenal, collecting a pass from Nacho Monreal, spinning round past defender Tim Ream and rifling the ball low into the corner of the net from close range.
Fulham's Andre Schurrle levelled the score just before the break, chipping calmly over Leno for his third league goal since joining the Cottagers in the summer on loan from Borussia Dortmund.
But the visitors ran rampant in the second half, with three unanswered goals.
Lacazette scored his fourth league goal of the season before substitute Ramsey back-heeled in an exquisite third for the Gunners after a pass across the area from Aubameyang.
The Gabonese striker then took the game away from the home side with two more goals that left Fulham with the worst defensive record in the league by a distance, having let in four more goals than any other team.
"We don't show the Premier League level, and this is our situation," Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic told reporters.
"Today we tried, we offered some positive signs, but it's not enough."
The loss leaves the Cottagers on the edge of the relegation zone in 17th place, while Arsenal moves up to third above Tottenham on goals scored and ahead of Chelsea who play at Southampton later in the day.
(With inputs from agencies.)
ALSO READ
US forces destroy an anti-ship missile in Houthi-controlled area in Yemen
Entertainment News Roundup: Disney to start cracking down on password-sharing from June, CEO Iger says; 'The First Omen' fearlessly features graphic female bodies and more
Congress guarantees it will pass constitutional amendment to raise 50 per cent cap on reservations for SC, ST and OBC: Party manifesto.
First-ever Telugu TV news reader Shanti Swarup passes away
Israeli strikes have made south Lebanon a "devastated agricultural area", PM says