Clinical Fulham secured a slim victory over Mikel Arteta's Arsenal in a heavily contested game at Craven Cottage.
The Cottagers troubled the Gunners throughout the encounter, despite going behind early on in the game.
Bukayo Saka scored the opener for Arsenal in the 5th minute, after a shot fired by Gabriel Martinelli was parried away to the path of the England international.
Both teams continued to go neck and neck at each other, with Raul Jimenez drawing Fulham level in the 29th minute.
Tom Cairney delivered a great cross into the box, which was subsequently tucked away by the Mexican.
Several chances fell to both sides in the first half, but they ended the opening 45 in parity, with both managers having plenty to do in the second half.
The second half commenced with Takehiro Tomiyasu coming on for Jakub Kiwior, an unexpected change made by Mikel Arteta.
Just one minute before the hour mark, Bobby Reid propelled Fulham into the lead, sending the Cottagers into wild celebration.
Reid was fortunate to pounce him the ball, following a poor header by Declan Rice, after William delivered a cross into the box.
In the 65th minute, Tom Cairney got his name taken down into the referee's book, as he was handed a yellow for a foul on Bukayo Saka.
2 minutes later, Mikel Arteta introduced Leandro Trossard for Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Jesus for Ben White.
Fulham had the opportunity to drive into a 3-1 comfortable lead in the 71st minute, but David Raya pammed away a massive shot from Tom Cairney.
In the 72nd minute, Andreas Pereira came on for former Gunner Alex Iwobi, who was also impressive on the day.
Nigeria international Calvin Bassey was booked 13 minutes before the end of regulation time for time-wasting.
In the 77th minute, Reiss Nelson also entered the fray for Kai Havertz, who had a poor outing at Craven Cottage.
Marco Silva also made his own set of substitutions, bringing on Harry Wilson for goalscorer Bobby Reid in the 80th minute, while Issa Diop also replaced Willian.
Arsenal tried all they could to equalize, including a chance that Gabriel couldn't connect properly.
4 minutes before the 90, William Saliba was shown a yellow card for hauling Harry Wilson to the turf.
The last big chance of the proceedings fell to Marco Silva's side, with Andreas Pereira hitting a good free-kick, which curled and ultimately struck the crossbar.
In the 2nd minute of additional time in the second 45, Raul Jimenez was also booked for time-wasting.
Fulham made their final substitution in the 90+3 minute, with Harrison Reed coming on for Tom Cairney, while Bernd Leno became the third player to be handed a yellow card in the 90+6 minute for time-wasting.
Arsenal ended the year on a losing note and in 4th, while Fulham concluded the year on a victorious note, sitting 13th on the Premier League table.
Marco Silva's side return to action on January 5, 2024, facing Rotherham in an FA Cup encounter, while the Gunners welcome Liverpool to Anfield on January 7, 2024, also in an FA Cup clash that certainly promises to be intense.
The Cottagers troubled the Gunners throughout the encounter, despite going behind early on in the game.
Bukayo Saka scored the opener for Arsenal in the 5th minute, after a shot fired by Gabriel Martinelli was parried away to the path of the England international.
Both teams continued to go neck and neck at each other, with Raul Jimenez drawing Fulham level in the 29th minute.
Tom Cairney delivered a great cross into the box, which was subsequently tucked away by the Mexican.
Several chances fell to both sides in the first half, but they ended the opening 45 in parity, with both managers having plenty to do in the second half.
The second half commenced with Takehiro Tomiyasu coming on for Jakub Kiwior, an unexpected change made by Mikel Arteta.
Just one minute before the hour mark, Bobby Reid propelled Fulham into the lead, sending the Cottagers into wild celebration.
Reid was fortunate to pounce him the ball, following a poor header by Declan Rice, after William delivered a cross into the box.
In the 65th minute, Tom Cairney got his name taken down into the referee's book, as he was handed a yellow for a foul on Bukayo Saka.
2 minutes later, Mikel Arteta introduced Leandro Trossard for Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Jesus for Ben White.
Fulham had the opportunity to drive into a 3-1 comfortable lead in the 71st minute, but David Raya pammed away a massive shot from Tom Cairney.
In the 72nd minute, Andreas Pereira came on for former Gunner Alex Iwobi, who was also impressive on the day.
Nigeria international Calvin Bassey was booked 13 minutes before the end of regulation time for time-wasting.
In the 77th minute, Reiss Nelson also entered the fray for Kai Havertz, who had a poor outing at Craven Cottage.
Marco Silva also made his own set of substitutions, bringing on Harry Wilson for goalscorer Bobby Reid in the 80th minute, while Issa Diop also replaced Willian.
Arsenal tried all they could to equalize, including a chance that Gabriel couldn't connect properly.
4 minutes before the 90, William Saliba was shown a yellow card for hauling Harry Wilson to the turf.
The last big chance of the proceedings fell to Marco Silva's side, with Andreas Pereira hitting a good free-kick, which curled and ultimately struck the crossbar.
In the 2nd minute of additional time in the second 45, Raul Jimenez was also booked for time-wasting.
Fulham made their final substitution in the 90+3 minute, with Harrison Reed coming on for Tom Cairney, while Bernd Leno became the third player to be handed a yellow card in the 90+6 minute for time-wasting.
Arsenal ended the year on a losing note and in 4th, while Fulham concluded the year on a victorious note, sitting 13th on the Premier League table.
Marco Silva's side return to action on January 5, 2024, facing Rotherham in an FA Cup encounter, while the Gunners welcome Liverpool to Anfield on January 7, 2024, also in an FA Cup clash that certainly promises to be intense.
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