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ARSENAL finished 2023 with a defeat as they were beaten 2-1 by Fulham at Craven Cottage.Bukayo Saka tapped in from close range to give Mikel Arteta’s side the lead inside five minutes.
Raul Jimenez finished off a superb Fulham counter-attack just before the half-hour mark to put the Cottagers back on level terms.
And De Cordova-Reid slammed home the winner after some abject Gunners defending in the box in the second half.

TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event
Live stream: NOW
Fulham team: Leno, Castagne, Tosin, Bassey, Robinson, Palhinha, Cairney, De Cordova-Reid, Iwobi, Willian, Jimenez
Arsenal team: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior, Rice, Odegaard, Havertz, Saka, Martinelli, Nketiah

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Full time – Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
It’s all over! A huge result for Fulham – and an even bigger one for Arsenal as far as their season is concerned.
The Gunners miss the opportunity to go top of the Premier League despite leading inside five minutes at Craven Cottage.
However, goals from Raul Jimenez and Bobby Decordova-Reid turned the game around, and the Cottagers defiantly saw out any Arsenal response in the pouring rain with courage and charisma.
Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
90+4. Arsenal win back-to-back corners, but towering headers from Tosin and Diop relieve the pressure.
The ball comes back to Trossard on the right, but his deep cross is so deep that it soars over Bernd Leno and out for a goalkick.
That could be the end of the road for the Gunners.
Fulham 2-1 Arsenal – Jimenez yellow card
90+2 . It’s not often you see a player yellow carded for being pushed over but it’s just happened to Raul Jimenez.
Admittedly, he was trying to thump a dead ball into the Hammersmith End to waste time.
Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
90. Arsenal will have five minutes of stoppage time if they are to rescue something.
These Fulham players have been magnificent though, and deserve all three points.
Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
88. Pereira curls the free-kick over the wall…
…and on to the crossbar!
Fulham so, so close to sealing victory.
Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
87. Saliba brings down Wilson as he races through on goal… is this going to be a red card?! No, it’s only yellow.
The Fulham players and boss Marco Silva are absolutely furious, and feel the Arsenal defender denied a goalscoring opportunity.
Saliba perhaps was helped by the fact that Gabriel was rushing back to support his partner.
Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
85. Fulham are looking the more likely to add to the score on the break.
Arsenal just look out of ideas.
Can they salvage something here? Can they salvage their season?
Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
83. Saka has a sight of goal, but just as he’s about to fire past Leno, Palhinha arrives with a superb thumping challenge.
The Portuguese boss lifts himself up from the turf and lets out a celebratory roar and fist pump.
Fulham 2-1 Arsenal – Fulham double substitution
81. A double change from the Cottagers brings Harry Wilson – on for his 100th Fulham appearance – and Issa Diop into the game.
Willian and Bobby Decordova-Reid make way.
It will mean a three at the back for Marco Silva’s team in the final stages.
Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
79. A defensive header from Castagne brings Arsenal their first corner of the game, but it’s defended well by the home side.
The Fulham defence are less convincing moments later when a cross from the left travels through everyone, only to evade Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel at the back stick.
Fulham 2-1 Arsenal – Bassey yellow card
78. Calvin Bassey – sent off for two bookable offences at Arsenal – is yellow carded against the Gunners again.
And just like his first at the Emirates, it’s for supposed time-wasting.
Back in August, he was booked for delaying a goalkick despite Saka still being inside the penalty area.
Fulham 2-1 Arsenal – Arsenal substitution
77. Another throw of the dice from Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners haven’t found much width this afternoon, but maybe Reiss Nelson can change that. He replaces Kai Havertz.
Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
75. Tom Cairney continues to play a captain’s role for Fulham, keeping possession, making space and bringing others into the game.
Just a really lovely footballer.
The torrential rain has absolutely flattened his quiff, mind.
Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
73. As it stands, Arsenal sit fourth in the Premier League with Tottenham – currently 1-0 up against Bournemouth – breaking down their necks.
Two goals would change it all though, and the Gunners would be back at the summit.
Fulham 2-1 Arsenal – Fulham substitution
71. The heavens have opened in south-west London and the rain is hammering it down now. It’s really windy too. We could be in for a chaotic end of this contest.
Meanwhile, Marco Silva makes his first change, bringing on Andreas Pereira for Alex Iwobi, who departs to warm applause from both sets of fans.
Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
69. Fulham aren’t done attacking despite the arrival of Arsenal reinforcements.
Raul Jimenez attempts a ridiculous 20-yard rabona (and clatters into Tomiyasu), but following up Cairney lets fly with an effort that forces Raya into a diving push away.
Fulham 2-1 Arsenal – Arsenal double substitution
67. Odegaard whips the free-kick up over the wall…
…and the crossbar.
That’s the cue for Mikel Arteta to make two further changes, introducing Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard.
Off go Gabriel Martinelli and Ben White so it’s a rare opportunity for Jesus and Nketiah to play together.
Fulham 2-1 Arsenal – Cairney yellow card
65. The first booking of the game goes to Fulham captain Tom Cairney, who is late in his attempt to stop a spinning Saka.
It’s a free-kick to Arsenal about 25 yards from goal. Odegaard stands over it.
Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
63. A chance for an immediate response!
Robinson and Tosin make heavy work of dealing with Martinelli’s cross from the left, allowing it to drift through to an unmarked Saka at the far post.
The Arsenal forward has to take it on the volley, but gets his connection all wrong, sending it high over the crossbar.
Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
61. Arsenal have less than half hour to rescue this one if they are to bring in the new year at the top of the Premier League.
On the touchline, Mikel Arteta looks concerned.
Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
59. Fulham have come from behind to lead at Craven Cottage!
But if the equaliser was stylish, their second is an absolute mess.
Willian’s outswinging corner from the right is met by Palhinha’s header into the back of Declan Rice.
The ball diverts towards Gabriel, whose attempted clearance hits Takehiro Tomiyasu and falls for Bobby Decordova-Reid to crash into the roof of the net from eight yards.
Fulham in front!

Fulham 1-1 Arsenal

58. Fulham are having their best spell of pressure in the second period.
A couple of crosses have had the visiting defence in trouble, and it brings the hosts successive corners.
Fulham 1-1 Arsenal
56. Excellent defending from Saliba cuts out a Palhinha through ball that would have had Jimenez through on goal.
Fulham 1-1 Arsenal
54. Arsenal are moving steadily into Fulham’s final third.
But while they were breaking records for touches in the penalty area without scoring on Thursday, they are struggling to get into the home side’s box today.
It makes you wonder how long it will be before we see Gabriel Jesus. More

TOTTENHAM are facing the most in-form team in the Premier League as they aim to return to winning ways.Bournemouth are unbeaten in seven league games including winning the last four, while Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs went down 4-2 at Brighton in their last game.

Kick-off: 2pm
TV channel/ live stream: Not televised live in the UK

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CHELSEA have beaten Luton 3-2 at Kenilworth Road to sign off 2023 with a vital win.The Blues took the lead through Cole Palmer’s emphatic finish after pouncing on a defensive error from the Hatters.
Chelsea doubled their lead on 37 minutes through Noni Madueke’s thunderous strike.
Palmer got his second of the afternoon in the second half after beating Thomas Kaminski with superb skill before scoring Chelsea’s third.
Former Blue Ross Barkley converted from a late Luton corner to make it 3-1 before Elijah Adebayo tapped in for 3-2 to set up a grandstand finish, but it wasn’t to be for the Hatters.

Match result: Luton 2-3 Chelsea
Luton team: Kaminski, Doughty, Mengi, Osho, Bell, Kabore, Lokonga, Barkley, Townsend, Adebayo, Brown
Chelsea team: Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Gallagher, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Jackson; Broja

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Cold-Palmer seals win for Blues
At just 21-years-old, Cole Palmer has the head on him of a player much more mature in his game.
Named player of the match for his two goals today, the calmness under pressure to slot home his second goal was impressive.
Nothing seems to phase him and he has added some real quality in the final third for Chelsea.
Credit: Getty
Credit: Getty
Chelsea make huge step towards top
Victory today at Kenilworth Road cements tenth place for The Blues but also leaves them only a point behind Newcastle.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side are now only three points behind Man Utd in seventh place.
The Argentine manager will see the two wins this week as a step in the right direction for his team.
Barkley comes back to haunt old friends
The goal by Ross Barkley ignited the comeback from Luton which almost saw them come from three goals down to draw.
Sadly for Rob Edwards’ side, they just could not find that third goal.
Barkley was integral to everything Luton Town did well today and is starting to shine in the heart of this side.

FT: Luton Town 2-3 Chelsea
Luton had their first shot on target in the 77th minute and then in the remaining time they had six shots on target, hit the crossbar twice and had a goal disallowed.
Chelsea can count themselves lucky to hold on for the win in the end.
Rob Edwards’ side turned the screw in the final moments and came so close to scoring an equaliser.

FT: Luton Town 2-3 Chelsea
The referee brings this titanic battle to an end at Kenilworth Road.
Chelsea hang on for a vital three points.
For Luton, they will feel they could have got something out of this.
Luton Town 2-3 Chelsea
90+4. Gusto is shown a yellow card for delaying the throw in for too much time.
Chong turns away from Gallagher and is fouled once again.
Luton are hoping that they can create one more chance now.
Luton Town 2-3 Chelsea
90+2. Chelsea have brought Gilchrist on for Cole and switched to five at the back now.
Chong whips another dangerous ball in but Ogbene cannot control it at the back post.
Rob Edwards punches the air in anger that they could not turn it in.
Luton Town 2-3 Chelsea
90. Moments ago Chelsea fans were singing about how their team was the best in the world.
It’s highly debatable if they are the best team in Kenilworth Road right now.
Chong gets to the byline and whips the ball in and Thiago Silva clears the ball from his own goal line.
We are going to have an additional six minutes added.
Luton Town 2-3 Chelsea
88. We have a game on our hands now.
As the cross comes in from Ogbene as it is fired towards goal, Petrovic makes a save but the ball loops up in the air.
Adebayo is on the back post to volley home and send Kenilworth Road into raptures.
Credit: AFP
Goal – Elijah Adebayo (Luton Town)
Luton Town 1-3 Chelsea
86. Gallagher goes into the back of Chong, giving away a foul.
Doughty stands over the free kick.
He finds Morris at the back post and his header comes crashing off the crossbar.
The replay shows that Petrovic got a fingertip to it, great save.
Luton Town 1-3 Chelsea
84. Ogbene gets another good delivery into the box.
Chelsea fail to deal with the cross and Doughty keeps it in play.
Morris gets his head to it but Petrovic makes the save.
Luton Town 1-3 Chelsea
82. As the corner comes in from Luton, Barkley meets it at the near post with a header to finally put the ball into the back of the net for Rob Edwards’ side.
They had their first shot on target in the 77th minute and now they have their goal.
Another one for the hosts would make for an interesting end to this game.
Goal – Ross Barkley (Luton Town)
Luton Town 0-3 Chelsea
80. What a miss for the hosts.
Ogbene crosses from the right and Adebayo thunders his header against the crossbar from two yards out.
Petrovic didn’t move, he had to score.
Luton Town 0-3 Chelsea
78. Chelsea fans are starting to enjoy their day out here.
With time running out, you cannot see them losing this now.
Barkley looks to place a shot from outside the box but it is straight at Petrovic.
Credit: Getty
Luton Town 0-3 Chelsea
76. For a moment there, Luton thought they had a chance to get back into this game.
As the replay shows, Adebayo was coming back from on offside position in the build up.
He finished well as the cross came in, heading into the bottom corner, but it was to be ruled out.
Goal disallowed – Offside
VAR check in progress
Goal – Elijah Adebayo (Luton Town)
Luton Town 0-3 Chelsea
74. It seems a bizarre decision by Man City to let Palmer leave.
He has so much to offer and is only going to get better.
The player seems to rarely be injured also, which is key to any side.
Luton Town 0-3 Chelsea
72. Palmer has been the difference between these two sides.
The quality and skill of the Chelsea youngster has just been too much for Luton to cope with.
That said, Kabore got the ball rolling when he passed the ball to Palmer to gift him his first goal.
Luton Town 0-3 Chelsea
70. That is surely game over now.
Palmer makes a run and is slotted in, he skips around Kaminski and dummies a shot so the defender commits himself.
He uses that to slide the ball into an empty net.
Goal – Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Luton Town 0-2 Chelsea
68. Madueke plays a short corner to Palmer.
He checks onto his left and looks to fire a shot away.
Chong does well to block and bring the ball out for Luton.
Credit: Getty More

IN-FORM Wolves welcome Everton to Molineux for their final game of 2023. Wolves have enjoyed themselves over the Christmas period, beating Chelsea and Brentford to climb the table, while Everton have lost to Spurs and Man City.

Kick-off time: 3pm GMT
Stream/TV: Not televised in UK

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ASTON VILLA will be looking to end their Christmas funk with a win over Burnley.Aston Villa have picked up just one point in the last week – drawing with Sheffield United and throwing away a two-goal lead to lose at Manchester United – while Burnley lost to Liverpool after a key win over Fulham.

Kick-off time: 3pm GMT
Stream/TV: Not televised in UK

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MANCHESTER CITY host relegation-threatened Sheffield United in the Premier League this weekend. City are coming off the back of a 3-1 win over Everton while the Blades will want to bounce back from their damaging home defeat against Luton.

Kick-off time: 3pm
TV/Stream: Not televised in UK

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CRYSTAL PALACE host Brentford in a London derby this weekend in the Premier League. The Bees were easily beaten 4-1 by Wolves on Wednesday night while Palace lost 2-1 in a close encounter with Chelsea.

Kick-off time: 3pm GMT
Stream/TV: Not televised in UK

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