Arsenal extended their league lead on the Premier League table to nine points after Mikel Arteta’s side defeated Sunderland 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium in the push for the league title this season.

Martin Zubimendi opened the scoring for Arsenal in the 43rd minute after Leandro Trossard found the midfielder with a pass on the edge of the box, where he tightly fired a low effort past goalkeeper Robin Roefs.

The hosts doubled their lead in the 66th minute after Viktor Gyokeres, who was already going down inside the box under Sunderland’s pressing, managed to slot home an assist from Kai Havertz.

The Sweden international got his brace of the match in added time when Gabriel Martinelli started a counter-attack before laying the ball to Gyokeres, who played it into an open net to seal the victory for Arsenal.

Arsenal fans will now focus on the game between Liverpool and second-placed Manchester City on Sunday, as any outcome other than a win may result in a huge blow for Pep Guardiola’s team in the title race.

In one of the other games on Saturday, Cole Palmer scored a hat-trick as Chelsea beat Wolves 3-1 at the Molineux Stadium as the Blues fight for Champions League football next season.

Palmer put Chelsea ahead in the 13th minute from the penalty spot. He scored another penalty in the 35th minute to make it 2-0 before powering home an assist with Marc Cucurella three minutes later.

Chelsea were unable to score in the second half as Tolu Arokodare netted the only goal of the half to grab a consolation for Wolves, who are wallowing at the bottom of the league with only eight points this season.

Full results 

Arsenal 3 vs 0 Sunderland 

Wolves 1 vs 3 Chelsea

Bournemouth 1 vs 1 Aston Villa

Burnley 0 vs 2 West Ham United

Fulham 1 vs 2 Everton