Arsenal edge past Hull City to strengthen Premier League lead

Arsenal extended their advantage at the top of the Premier League with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Hull City at Emirates Stadium.

Martin Odegaard scored the only goal of the game in the 72nd minute, finishing from close range after Konstantinos Tzolakis had saved Noni Madueke’s shot.

The result moved Arsenal six points clear at the summit, although their lead is temporary until Manchester City play later.

Hull made the brighter start and almost took the lead after only two minutes. John Egan met Regan Slater’s cross with a header, but the effort went narrowly wide.

Arsenal responded when Madueke’s delivery from the right took a deflection off a Hull defender before passing just beyond the post. The hosts then assumed control of possession but struggled to break through Hull’s disciplined defensive shape.

Hull threatened again on the counter-attack in the 19th minute. Oliver McBurnie found Elliot Stroud inside the penalty area, but David Raya saved the forward’s effort from a tight angle. Declan Rice then cleared the danger before Tim Iroegbunam could follow up.

Rice came close to breaking the deadlock himself in the 28th minute, sending a powerful effort from outside the area just wide. At the other end, Christos Tzolis headed straight at the goalkeeper from a promising position.

Arsenal thought they might have a penalty before half-time when Kai Havertz went down in the box after a challenge from Nabil Mendy. The referee initially rejected the appeal. A video assistant referee review followed, but the decision remained unchanged after Havertz was found to have been offside earlier in the move.

Rice then saw a header from another Madueke cross saved by the Greek goalkeeper, ensuring the sides went into the interval level.

Arsenal increased the pressure after the restart, but Tzolakis continued to frustrate them, producing another good save to deny Madueke in the 57th minute.

Mikel Arteta made several changes during the second half and introduced Viktor Gyokeres and Mikel Merino in the 63rd minute as he looked for a way through.

The breakthrough arrived nine minutes later. Tzolakis kept out a powerful effort from Madueke, but the rebound fell to Odegaard, who drove the ball into the net with his right foot.

Hull pushed for an equaliser and came close in the 87th minute. A move started by Gyokeres and involving Eberechi Eze and Merino released Madueke, but Tzolakis got a foot to the ball before Brook Norton-Cuffy completed the clearance on the goal-line.

Hull continued to apply pressure late on, but Arsenal’s defence, led by Gabriel, dealt with the danger. Madueke missed another chance in stoppage time after being found by Merino.

Arsenal held on until the final whistle at 90+5 minutes to secure a narrow victory.