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LONDON. — Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to five points as they thrashed struggling Everton 4-0 at Emirates Stadium.

Sean Dyche’s side, who remain in the relegation places, frustrated Arsenal until five minutes before half-time, when Oleksandr Zinchenko’s pass played in Bukayo Saka for a thumping finish.

The contest was effectively over in first-half stoppage time when Saka robbed the dawdling Idrissa Gueye to play in Gabriel Martinelli. The flag went up for offside after he drove past Jordan Pickford but the decision was overturned after a VAR check.

Everton had no answers and Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard wrapped up their third successive league victory when he side-footed home Leandro Trossard’s cross after 71 minutes.

It was now simply a question of how many Arsenal would score to improve their goal difference, Martinelli adding his second and the Gunners’ fourth from Eddie Nketiah’s cross ten minutes from time.

‘Thrashing of Everton confirms Arsenal are in this title race to stay’

Martinelli once again demonstrated his rich promise with two crisp finishes but Saka was the star of the show, giving a glorious illustration of his significance to this Arsenal side.  He became the sixth-youngest player in Premier League history, at 21, to reach 50 goals and assists as he ensured the frustration that threatened Arsenal was wiped away in the crucial minutes before half-time.

Saka gave Pickford no chance when he lashed a powerful drive past the England goalkeeper at his near post, then his speed of thought and action robbed Gueye to play in Martinelli. It was game over after that.

Arsenal played so fluently as Everton subsided, and in the final reckoning the scoreline could have been even more emphatic.

The Gunners’ character and resilience was put to the test after the damaging home loss to nearest rivals Manchester City, but they have responded brilliantly with wins at Aston Villa and Leicester City, then this cruise against an Everton side in desperate trouble.

Dyche started his reign as Everton manager with a win over Arsenal at Goodison Park that hinted at a possible revival – fast forward to this hammering and the brutal reality is clear.

Everton held their own for 40 minutes but even when they got into threatening positions they lacked any sort of bite.

They have not scored more than once for 15 games, the last time coming in a 3-0 win against Crystal Palace on 22 October.

It makes the decision to go through the January transfer window without adding a striker, indeed without adding anyone, look even more like negligence on the part of the club’s hierarchy, including director of football Kevin Thelwell.

Dyche has won two and lost three of his first five games, and those winning goals against Arsenal and Leeds United have come from central defender James Tarkowski and veteran full-back Seamus Coleman.

And the manner in which Everton collapsed once they went behind, showing a complete lack of confidence and self-belief, is a serious worry for Dyche and their long-term Premier League prospects.

This weekend’s visit to Nottingham Forest now assumes even greater importance as Everton face yet another season of crisis. — BBC.