Arsenal picked up their 11th league success of the season with a 2-0 win over Hull City at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.
The home side took just 90 seconds to open the scoring when Nicklas Bendtner scored his first Premier League goal since 2010 with a deft header.
The Gunners had to wait until the second period to extend their lead, but the goal came after 47 minutes when Mesut Ozil found the bottom corner from close range.
Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action between the two Premier League rivals.
Match statistics:
Arsenal:
Shots: 20
On target: 7
Possession: 67%
Corners: 11
Fouls: 9
Hull:
Shots: 7
On target: 2
Possession: 33%
Corners: 1
Fouls: 6
Was the result fair?
In a word, yes. Hull had their moments during an entertaining 90 minutes of football, but there wasn't a point during the contest when they really looked capable of taking something from the match. Bendtner was given a rare start for the home side this evening and took his chance with a headed goal in the early stages. In truth, Hull were outclassed by a slick Arsenal side at the Emirates.
Arsenal's performance
The Gunners entered the match as the overwhelming favourites and took just two minutes to open the scoring. That settled the players and indeed the supporters as Arsene Wenger's side dominated from that point forward. They were guilty of some slack passing, especially in the second period, but the match was over as a contest when Ozil found the back of the net. It wasn't vintage from the London outfit, but it is another three points.
Hull's performance
In truth, how Hull fare this season will not depend on their results at grounds such as the Emirates Stadium. They entered the match full of confidence after beating Liverpool, but never really looked capable of harming Arsenal throughout the 90 minutes. They managed just one attempt in the first period and things didn't get much better in the second half. Despite the defeat, Hull were compact for large spells and boss Steve Bruce will certainly take the positives.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Mesut Ozil: What a difference the German international has made to this Arsenal team. He has found goals in the Premier League hard to find this season, but he was on the scoresheet in the second half this evening. When the German has possession, something happens. He is worth every penny of the £42.5m that the Gunners paid for his services.
Biggest gaffe
Bruce would have sent his side onto the field with the message of keep it tight for the first 10 minutes. Granted, it was a wonderful cross from Carl Jenkinson that allowed Bendtner to head home, but the marking inside the box was poor. From that moment, it was all uphill for the Tigers.
Referee performance
Andre Marriner will possibly not have an easier match to referee all season. There was hardly a challenge of note throughout the 90 minutes, with Hull more than happy for Arsenal to have the ball in the middle of the park. It is rare, especially in this age, that a Premier League match fails to produce a single card, but Marriner kept calm when analysing each challenge.
What next?
Arsenal: The Gunners will attempt to extend their lead at the top of the league table when they welcome Everton on Sunday afternoon.
Hull: Hull are on the road once more in their next league match as they make the trip to Swansea City next Monday.
Matt Law
