Afternoon all. So, the Premier League appears to be sorting itself out: the big and rich kids win more or less every time, there are just six of them rather than the four there were previously. And Arsenal need a win today, with Spurs and Manchester United on their heels but Manchester City in their sights. But then again so do Crystal Palace, whose new manager has had dealings with them before. This could get revitalisingly messy.
Premier League / Matchday 19
Emirates Stadium / 01.01.2017
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Updated 01/01/2017 at 17:51 GMT
- All
- Highlights
17:51
Otherwise, thanks all for your company - see you soon and happy new year.
17:50
Easy enough for Arsenal, who move third in the table, still nine points off the lead. Palace, meanwhile, stay fourth bottom - they play Swansea next, and will know that's one they must win.
90+3'
Full-time: Arsenal 2-0 Crystal Palace
90+3'
Xhaka spreads to Sanchez and he cuts into the box the slides back for Oxlade-Chamberlain, who drives low and just wide.
90+2'
Giroud is man of the match, reckons Gary Neville, and it's true that his was a brilliant goal. But Alexis Sanchez has been easily the best player on the pitch, in mine - with nods to Bellerin and Xhaka too.
90'
There shall be three added minutes.
90'
Ignore the first name terms - if you can - because Xhaka has been excellent today. And he's on the ball now, whipping in a free-kick from 25 yards, right of centre, which flicks the top of Tomkins' head and flies narrowly over the top. The corner comes to nothing.
88'
Oxlade-Chamberlain, who's been good since coming on, nashes forward at inside-right before clipping a clever pass into Ramsey he's outside the box, dead centre. He then dips inside, then ducks outside onto his right foot and smacks a shot just wide of the near post.
87'
It cannot be overstated how bad Palace have been today. Yes, Arsenal are just better and have played well, but the lack of conviction from Benteke and Cabaye was miserable.
86'
"Arsenal aren't tipped for the title as they tend to peter out," says Martin Tyler. Someone needs to show him the league table.
83'
Zaha ducks inside and outside Coquelin and Monreal, then again, so Monreal brings him down to try and avoid conceding the goal which would lead to an uncomfy last ten minutes. He's booked, but also right - the free-kick, 30 yards out, sails behind without mithering anyone.
82'
Oxlade-Chamberlain flies down the outside of Ward and hits the line, driving over a low cross that Kelly just about humps clear after sorting out his feet.
81'
There are so many teams who need relegating this season. Swansea, Sunderland, Palace, Leicester, Watford and West Ham could all disappear as just reward for their efforts.
79'
Sanchez comes in on his right foot and curves in a cross. Giroud is looking for it, as is Xhaka, but eventually Hennessy can fall on the loose ball.
78'
Curous change, this, Benteke replaced by Campbell. Perhaps he's being saved for the next game, but he really needs to put himself about more.
77'
Alex Iwobi has been good today, but he's off now, replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Which is ironic, because they're both called Alex and Trevor Brooking didn't get many with his head.
76'
75'
I concur.
73'
Incidentally, Elneny is now off to Gabon, where he'll represent Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.
73'
Arsenal withdraw Lucas and Elneny, with Coquelin and Ramsey replacing them.