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Arsenal provided a major statement about their title credentials as they thrashed Chelsea 5-0 at the Emirates Stadium to move three points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

Kai Havertz and Ben White scored twice each in a rampant second-half performance from Mikel Arteta’s side after Leandro Trossard had struck an early opener in an end-to-end first period.

The emphatic victory, coming just three days after they bounced back from losses to Aston Villa and Bayern Munich with a 2-0 win at Wolves, gives Arsenal a three-point cushion on Liverpool in second and puts them four clear of champions Manchester City in third.

The title-race spotlight now turns to Liverpool, who face Merseyside rivals Everton at Goodison Park, live on Sky Sports on Wednesday, before City play the first of their two games in hand away to Brighton, also live on Sky Sports on Thursday.

For Chelsea, meanwhile, the chastening defeat, the club’s heaviest in a London derby since 1986, following an FA Cup semi-final loss to City at Wembley on Saturday, dents their hopes of salvaging a European spot from a bitterly disappointing season.

How Arsenal blew Chelsea away

Before Arsenal’s devastating second-half display, there was a more evenly-matched first period, despite Trossard converting a smart diagonal finish from Declan Rice’s pass in the fourth minute for his 10th Premier League goal of the campaign.

The Gunners created a succession of chances to add to their lead, with Trossard seeing a deflected effort rather fortuitously hit Djordje Petrovic after the Chelsea goalkeeper had saved brilliantly from Havertz, but as the hosts spurned opportunities, Chelsea grew in confidence.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side were able to find the gaps they needed to play through the uncharacteristically open hosts and had chances to equalise, hitting the post when Nicolas Jackson’s cut-back bounced off Gabriel, almost outfoxing David Raya.

Arteta cut a frustrated figure on the touchline during that opening period but he was able to plug the holes in his midfield at half-time and Arsenal quickly took the game away from Chelsea, significantly boosting their already superior goal difference in the process.

White added the second only seven minutes after the break, finishing coolly following a corner after Rice’s shot had bounced into his path off Thomas Partey, and the third arrived only five minutes after that as Havertz held off Marc Cucurella to lift a cool finish over Petrovic from Martin Odegaard’s ball in behind.

A party atmosphere had gripped the Emirates Stadium at that point and Chelsea’s collapse continued when Havertz collected a Bukayo Saka pass and capitalised on more passive defending from the visitors to send a low finish into the net off the post.

Arsenal continued to pour forward, with White further delighting the home fans when his first-time, volleyed cross sailed over Petrovic and into the net. His sheepish celebration suggested he did not mean it. Not that it really mattered to the hosts.

They could have added to their lead after that, amassing a total of 27 shots as Chelsea continued to wilt, powerless to stop an Arsenal machine which looks increasingly capable of securing the club’s first Premier League title in two decades.

Chelsea’s dreadful defence – Opta stats

• Chelsea have conceded 57 goals in the Premier League this season, their most in a single campaign in the competition (overtaking their total of 55 from the 1994/95 and 1996/97 seasons).
• Arsenal recorded their biggest ever victory against Chelsea across all competitions, while this was the Blues’ heaviest defeat in a London derby since losing 6-0 to Queens Park Rangers in March 1986.
• Arsenal picked up their 24th victory of the Premier League campaign; their joint-most after 34 games of a top-flight season after last term and the 2003/04 season under Arsene Wenger.

What’s next?

Arsenal continue their Premier League title bid at rivals Tottenham in the North London Derby this Sunday, live on Sky Sports. Kick-off 2pm.

Chelsea are on the road again with a trip to Aston Villa on Saturday. Kick-off 8pm. Mauricio Pochettino’s then host London rivals Tottenham, live on Sky Sports, on Thursday May 2. Kick-off 7.30pm.

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Andy Cole and John Terry have been inducted into the Premier League’s Hall of Fame. The pair join Ashley Cole, who was voted in earlier this year. 

The Hall of Fame honours players and managers that have made significant contributions to the success of the top flight, with 22 figures already inducted prior to Monday.

The duo were selected from a shortlist of 15 former professionals after votes from fans worldwide were combined with those of the Premier League Awards Panel.

Ashley Cole received the league’s highest honour this year, while Andy Cole and Terry become the 23rd and 24th inductees. All three will be recognised at a celebratory event in London on Tuesday.

Andy Cole represented seven different clubs while Terry spent his entire 19-year top-flight stint at Chelsea. Cole holds a number of records that remain to this day – as well as a few that were eclipsed recently by Erling Haaland.

No player has ever had more goal involvements in one season (48 goals and assists in 1993-94), while only the Norwegian has more goals in their debut campaign than Cole’s 34, and has managed to reach 50 goals in fewer than the United legend’s 65 games.

Cole – the league’s fourth-highest goalscorer – was a natural finisher; he was the first player to score five in a single match, and one of only three to have two or more hat-tricks at two clubs.

After moving to Manchester United from Newcastle in 1995 for a British-record transfer fee, Cole won five Premier League titles, including three in a row between 1998/99 and 2000/01, delivering key goals in United’s historic treble-winning campaign.

“I’m proud of everything I’ve achieved in football, which is thanks to my family, my coaches and my team-mates, and being inducted into the Hall of Fame makes me very proud,” he said.

“Football is a game of ups and downs, but I enjoyed every single minute of my career. My dad wanted me to play cricket, but I said, ‘No dad, I think I’m good at football’. Looking back at my career always fills me with great pride and puts a smile on my face.

“The reason you play football and compete at the highest level is to win major honours. It was so, so special for me to win so many trophies and five Premier Leagues. To get my first one was crazy and after that I just wanted to win more.”

He is joined by Terry, Chelsea’s most decorated skipper and a former England captain.

Only Tony Adams (118) has a better minutes-to-goals-conceded record than Terry’s 111, the defender the only player to take part in every one of the Blues’ title-winning seasons.

Terry is also the record holder for most defensive clean sheets in the league at 214, and is the division’s top-scoring defender with 41 goals.

“I’m very grateful to have been voted into the Premier League Hall of Fame,” he said. “I’m a player that certainly gave my all whenever I stepped out on the pitch and to be recognised in this way makes me really proud.

“It’s great to have joined my former team-mates who have already been inducted, and to be inducted in the same year as Ashley Cole, who was an incredible player and a close friend.

“I was lucky to share a dressing room with so many top players. To captain a club like Chelsea and achieve what we did as a team is so special to me. The Premier League is the best league in the world, which every player hopes to play in, and I’m very proud to have won it five times.”

All inductees receive a medallion engraved with their name and the year of their induction, along with a £10,000 donation made by the Premier League to a charity of their choice.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters added: “Andrew Cole and John Terry are both worthy additions to the Premier League Hall of Fame thanks to the contributions they made to their respective teams and their achievements in the game.

“Cole’s goalscoring exploits and all-round play place him among the greatest strikers we have seen. After making his mark in the competition with Newcastle United, he became an integral part of the Manchester United team that dominated the early years of the Premier League.

“Terry’s defensive acumen and leadership qualities were essential in transforming Chelsea into a Premier League force. He led by example over a long period of time and played a key role in all five of their title successes.

“Congratulations to both players, and to Ashley Cole, who has already been inducted into the Hall of Fame this year.”

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Jones Knows is back with a bonus midweek Premier League predictions as he hunts out the value across the betting markets.

Arsenal vs Chelsea, Tuesday 8pm – PLAY SUPER 6 HERE!

If the Chelsea that showed up at Wembley turn up here, then Arsenal are in for a game.

However, there is just no way I can trust this erratic Chelsea team to go back-to-back in terms of performance level, especially without Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto – their two outstanding performers since the turn of the year. Arsenal should get this job done at 4/9 with Sky Bet.

I’d encourage those looking for some betting interest on the game to look at the cards market. There’s lots on the line for both teams in a potentially raucous London derby atmosphere with a referee who does love delving into his pocket. Simon Hooper has shown 97 cards in 21 Premier League games this season – an average of 4.62 per 90.

Arsenal have been shown 13 yellow cards in their last six games at home in the Premier League and could be lured into some cynical stuff from what is a tricky Chelsea attack. Mykhailo Mudryk is far from the finished article to say the least but he’s a sharp, quick dribbler who has got an opposition player booked 10 times in just 1,181 minutes of Premier League action this season.

If he starts down the left, Ben White looks overpriced at 5/1 with Sky Bet to be carded considering he’s been shown a yellow in three of his last five games and 10 cards in total across all competitions this season.

SCORE PREDICTION: 2-0

Wolves vs Bournemouth, Wednesday 7.45pm – PLAY SUPER 6 HERE!

Bournemouth are becoming the latest team to latch on to where offsides against are concerned. First it was Aston Villa’s offside lines that were soaked in value on a weekly basis and then Tottenham’s. Both of those punting avenues are long gone now with the bookmakers cottoning on to their high lines.

They’ve yet to really react to Bournemouth’s though who have caught the opposition offside 13 times in their last five matches as Andoni Iraola’s gameplan to press high is leaving space for the opposition to run into past their defence. It’s leading to a healthy return of offsides.

The Wolves offside line is set at two or more at 10/11 with Sky Bet which looks achievable based on Bournemouth’s recent averages – as does Hwang Hee-Chan’s price to be caught offside at 11/8. The South Korean has been flagged 10 times in 18 starts this season including in the reverse fixture between these two teams.

SCORE PREDICTION: 1-1

Crystal Palace vs Newcastle, Wednesday 8pm

Newcastle’s games this season have been responsible for the most goals scored and conceded combined (121) and they head to Crystal Palace having scored in their last 14 Premier League games. They’re in for a proper game too based on Palace’s absolute dismantling of West Ham where the Eagles played arguably some of the best football I’ve ever seen a Crystal Palace team play.

The front three of Eberechi Eze, Jean-Phillipe Mateta and Michael Olise, playing much more centrally under Oliver Glasner, could have something exciting developing. With their tails up, this looks a game where goals are likely to flow at both ends. Since February 23 only Cole Palmer has scored more Premier League goals than Mateta (6) and Alexander Isak (7) meaning we have two in-form frontmen capable of finishing chances that drop their way.

It was therefore quite surprising to see as big as 4/5 with Sky Bet on the prospect of both teams scoring and over 2.5 goals. The 9/2 on both Isak and Mateta scoring in the match could also be a winner in waiting.

SCORE PREDICTION: 3-2

Everton vs Liverpool, Wednesday 8pm, live on Sky Sports – PLAY SUPER 6 HERE!

Analysing matches of this nature where there is such extra spice due to the derby factor is an occasion where I like to put a lot of weight on past trends from previous meetings. Form doesn’t go out of the window entirely but a Merseyside derby at Goodison Park especially is a unique fixture. And Jurgen Klopp knows this.

Everton are going to drag this game down into an ugly, low-scoring, avenue and rightly so, it’s worked quite well for them in past meetings where they’ve managed to draw with Liverpool in nine of the last 13 games at Goodison. The draw is overpriced at 19/5 with Sky Bet.

If Everton are to frustrate their rivals then Jordan Pickford is likely to play a central role in the game. He made eight in this fixture last season.

Liverpool’s lack of clinical finishing in front of goal is seeing a spike in the number of saves made by an opposition goalkeeper with that number at 5.5 saves per game across the last 11 matches. Sky Bet have Pickford priced up at 6/5 to make five or more saves in the match and I think that is a huge runner in a game that may just suit Everton’s style under Sean Dyche.

SCORE PREDICTION: 0-0

Manchester United vs Sheffield United, Wednesday 8pm – PLAY SUPER 6 HERE!

Sheffield United could be in for a few goals at Old Trafford if they continue to play with the same level of threat and slick combinations they showed in their defeat at Burnley.

They were very unlucky not to score more than one goal in that 4-1 defeat that looks horrendous from a result perspective but the underlying metrics in attack showed that the Blades created lots of chances. They even won the expected goals battle in that defeat, creating 2.43 expected goals to Burnley’s 2.18.

Any wayward or poor focus from Manchester United could be seized upon by Chris Wilder’s men who can play with freedom and the handbrake off. I’m hoping that playing at Old Trafford might just keep enough of their players interested to put on a performance. It could be the last time some of the Blades players get to play at this famous stadium with the Championship on the horizon.

Gustavo Hamer isn’t one of those players – he’ll surely be snapped up by a Premier League club in the summer as he’s shown lots of quality this season without getting much help from his team-mates. In his last six games, Hamer has had 11 shots, five on them hitting the target and two of them finding the net, taking his tally to the season to five goals. He looks a massive price with Sky Bet to score first at 22/1 and anytime at 7/1.

SCORE PREDICTION: 4-2

Brighton vs Manchester City, Thursday 8pm, live on Sky Sports – PLAY SUPER 6 HERE!

We have an exciting dynamic to this title race now where Manchester City are in full control of their destiny but also are having to play the task of being the chaser.

This should be a routine win considering Brighton’s problems in front of goal.

If you remove Sheffield United from their results, Roberto De Zerbi’s team have scored just 14 goals in their last 16 games across all competitions. A City win to nil is a runner at 7/4 with Sky Bet.

Brighton are having trouble scoring but their style of football remains exciting to watch.

This possession-based style where they draw an opponent on does lead to Brighton players being fouled with 12.4 being drawn per 90 minutes since January 1. Only Luton have a higher fouls drawn average in the Premier League.

This has triggered my interest in Kevin de Bruyne’s foul committed lines against the Brighton midfield. De Bruyne has made two fouls in each of his last three matches as he’s played a little deeper to support Rodri in midfield and he’ll be tasked with engaging Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, who is a foul-winning machine. He’s drawn 15 fouls in his last six starts, including winning four in the defeat at Liverpool and five in Brighton’s last game with Burnley.

De Bruyne is 8/11 with Sky Bet to make at least one foul which surely lands and the 11/4 for him to make two or more fouls is bound to go close too.

SCORE PREDICTION: 0-2

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Jones Knows takes aim at the football feast across the weekend in the Premier League and the FA Cup, sprinkling his betting insight and analysis across the card.

Everton vs Nottingham Forest, Sunday 1.30pm, live on Sky Sports – PLAY SUPER 6 HERE!

I’ve always tended to look positively about what Sean Dyche is doing at Everton under huge restraints.

The underlying metrics have been strong despite poor results, Goodison Park is a tough place to play and Dyche himself is a manager with a underrated record at this level.

But I’m losing faith – quickly.

They’re in a rut and may not get out of it over the next six games. Just one win in their last 15 Premier League games and scoring just 10 goals in that period is quite frankly pathetic. It’s relegation worthy results.

But one thing that has been propping them up all season has been their exemplary defending – it’s why I’ve stuck with them in some tough times. But now, that defence that was once a rock is now a sieve. Holes are appearing.

Their expected goals against metrics in their last seven games has plummeted to 1.90 per 90 – it’s fifth worst in the Premier League over that time. And they’ve not played anyone higher than sixth during that spell.

I’ve got so much more faith in Nottingham Forest’s forward line with Morgan Gibbs-White likely to be head and shoulders the best attacker player on that Goodison Park pitch. They’ve won four of their last five expected goals battles and have scored in every one of those five matches. I think Forest will score – and that should be enough for them not to lose the game as Everton are incapable of scoring more than once in a Premier League game in their current form.

Take your pick on the pro-Forest angles that are dancing in value. Forest on the double chance at 8/11 with Sky Bet looks very tasty as does the draw no bet option at 6/4. If you fancy the away win at 5/2 then adding Gibbs-White to score or assist to the party at 5/1 looks a shrewd play.

SCORE PREDICTION: 0-2 | JONES KNOWS’ BEST BET: Nottingham Forest double chance (8/11 with Sky Bet – Bet Here) & Morgan Gibbs-White to score or assist in a Forest win (5/1 with Sky Bet – Bet Here!)

Aston Villa vs Bournemouth, Sunday 3pm

I’m not too worried about a potential hangover from Villa’s draining midweek penalty shoot-out win over Lille. The last nine Premier League teams to go to penalties in a European knockout match have remained unbeaten in their next match with seven of them winning. Villa can use that momentum to their advantage and look fair enough to me at 5/6 with Sky Bet for the home win.

The total match offside line is also worth a look with five or more priced up at 6/5 with Sky Bet – that looks a generous line. We know all about Villa’s high line that has caught their opponents offside 147 times this season – that’s an average of 4.5 per game. But Bournemouth do like to squeeze the game too, especially of late where they’ve caught the opposition offside 10 times in the last four games. I can see this game hitting that line of five or more – like it did in the reverse fixture.

SCORE PREDICTION: 3-1

Crystal Palace vs West Ham, Sunday 3pm

Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise. What a duo.

The dynamic pair started at Anfield for the first time together since Crystal Palace’s 3-2 win over Sheffield United in January and Palace looked a completely different beast, looking so much more confident in possession and creating plenty of fruitful attacking moments.

Since the start of last season, in the 28 Premier League games where Eze and Olise have both started, Palace have a win percentage of 46 per cent and average 1.4 goals per 90 minutes. Contrast that to the 42 games without at least one of them starting those numbers drop dramatically to a win percentage of 14 per cent and 0.9 goals scored per 90 minutes.

With the shrewd addition of the very exciting Adam Wharton, this Palace team – with Eze and Olise fit and firing – look capable of positing some impressive attacking returns under Oliver Glasner in their remaining fixtures and I’ll be backing them when the prices are right – which they are here.

West Ham are 14 games without a clean sheet in the Premier League and their overall defensive metrics since the turn of the year are horrendous. They’ve conceded the third most goals of any team in those 14 games (28) and their expected goals against per 90 figure is 2.14 which is the second worst of any team for that period, behind only Luton.

Palace scoring two or more goals is odds against at 10/11 with Sky Bet, which has to be one of the best prices of the weekend.

SCORE PREDICTION: 4-1 | JONES KNOWS’ BEST BET: Crystal Palace to score two or more goals (10/11 with Sky Bet – Bet Here!)

Coventry vs Manchester United, Sunday 3.30pm, FA Cup semi-final – PLAY SUPER 6 HERE!

Coventry will be hoping to channel the legacy of Keith Houchin and his diving header from the 1987 FA Cup final win over Tottenham. One of my favourite FA Cup final goals that one.

This is a fascinating semi-final as Manchester United could just be there for the taking although giant-killings are rarely seen once we get to this stage.

United’s extra quality in the final third is likely to win them this game, not their style of play that continues to baffle. Are they trying to play a low block and also be a pressing team? It’s weird.

And they’re going to allow Coventry to venture towards their goal at regular intervals. Like many teams against United, it will be the shots and corner count that will take a hammering rather than their goals against column.

The United corners conceded numbers remains out of control, shipping 119 in their last 12 Premier League games – again, the most of any Premier League team in that period. An average of 9.9 per game.

With the Coventry line only set at five or more corners here at 5/6 with Sky Bet, it simply must be attacked. The Sky Blues have won the second most corners in the Sky Bet Championship this season, so their style of play does tend to force them. Going on previous form, even the higher Coventry corners lines 10 or more at 16/1 and 12 or more at 33/1 might be runners at big prices.

SCORE PREDICTION: 1-2

Fulham vs Liverpool, Sunday 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports – PLAY SUPER 6 HERE!

Since Rodrigo Muniz came into the Fulham team in January, Fulham have become one of the most dangerous attacking forces in the Premier League. Muniz’s eight goals has certainly been the catalyst for their improved numbers but as a team their whole process is functioning beautifully at the moment.

Over the last 12 Premier League games, only Liverpool and Man City are averaging more shots per game (17) and only Liverpool, Man City and Arsenal average more shots from inside the box per game (12.3). In that time they’ve beaten Bournemouth, Man Utd, Brighton, Tottenham and West Ham – and should have made their dominance pay in the first half against Newcastle – a game they somehow went onto lose. This all equates to impressive form.

So, with Liverpool’s midfield looking on the brink of malfunctioning and their strikers misfiring, Fulham look a backable prospect at 6/4 with Sky Bet to avoid defeat and 9/2 outright for victory.

Willian to score at 11/2 jumps out, too.

Surprisingly, he hasn’t scored since netting in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg between these two at Anfield but after a spell of injuries, he looked his sparky self in the win at West Ham. He’s the likely Fulham penalty taker too which is always a bonus to have on your side when backing anytime goalscorers. The Brazilian can fire in a home win – something which can be backed at 12/1 using the BuildABet with Sky Bet.

SCORE PREDICTION: 2-1

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