Lukas Podolski scored twice as Arsenal recorded a 3-0 victory from their trip to Hull City this afternoon. The German added to Aaron Ramsey's first-half opener, which has seen the Gunners tighten their grip on fourth spot in the Premier League.
It was hosting Hull that started brightly, but both Curtis Davies and Nikica Jelavic were denied by visiting goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.
The Arsenal shot-stopper's work was then rewarded in the 31st minute as his side took the lead. Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla linked to free Ramsey, who stepped beyond Davies inside the penalty area before slotting the ball past Steve Harper.
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The home side responded positively and almost drew level immediately, but although Jake Livermore's low drive from distance beat Sczczesny, it cannoned to safety off the post.
That misfortune returned to haunt Hull in the 45th minute as Podolski scored his first goal of the afternoon. After referee Jon Moss decided not to award a foul on Jelavic following a challenge by Mikel Arteta, Arsenal broke forward. The move ended with Ramsey laying the ball up for his teammate, who powered a shot into the bottom corner of the net from 12 yards out.
Podolski then went on to make sure of the outcome nine minutes after the restart, with Ramsey once again heavily involved. It was his shot that Harper parried and Podolski was on hand to turn in the rebound from close range.
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Arsenal were now well in command of proceedings and could have had a fourth goal in the 66th minute after Olivier Giroud had charged down Harper's clearance, but with the goal at his mercy, he sent his effort against the crossbar.
Substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ramsey had further opportunities as the match drew to a close, but neither could convert, although it had no bearing on the result, which has moved Arsenal four points clear of Everton in fifth.
Liam Apicella
