Arsenal stay in control of Premier League title race as they cruise to victory over Leeds

Arsenal remain in the driving seat in the Premier League title race, after a Gabriel Jesus brace helped them comfortably beat Leeds 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium.

Earlier in the day, Manchester City had closed the gap to five points with an impressive 4-1 victory over Liverpool – but a professional second-half showing from the Gunners ensured the pendulum swung back their way.

With nine matches remaining, Mikel Arteta's side hold an eight-point lead over City – who they face at the Emirates in just over three weeks' time – although the reigning champions do still have a game in hand.

In an evenly balanced first half in which Arsenal were well below their best, a clumsy Luke Ayling foul gave the hosts the chance to go in front from the spot just after the half-hour mark.

Jesus duly dispatched the resulting penalty, which proved enough to send the Gunners in ahead at the break.

And whatever Arteta said to his players at half-time seemed to work, as Arsenal pushed on and ultimately made light work of the struggling visitors.

Ben White made it 2-0 just two minutes into the second half, before Jesus bagged his second goal of the afternoon eight minutes later.

Rasmus Kristensen pulled one back with just under a quarter-of-an-hour to go to give Leeds a faint glimmer of hope – but Granit Xhaka's header made absolutely sure of the points for Arsenal six minutes from time.

Next up for the Gunners is a trip to Liverpool next Sunday; Leeds – who stay 17th and only outside the relegation zone on goal difference – entertain Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night.