Arsenal extend lead, Everton go fourth

• 
  

Ramsey shines against former club

Aaron Ramsey scores twice for Arsenal against Cardiff City as the Gunners continue to set the pace in the Premier League.Tags: Cardiff City, Arsenal, Premier League

Arsenal put the pressure on their rivals to move seven points clear at the top of the Premier League thanks to a 3-0 victory at Cardiff.

GettyImagesRamsey struck twice for Arsenal against his former side Cardiff.

•
Aaron Ramsey netted his 12th goal of the season by giving Arsenal the lead in the 29th minute. The Welshman found the back of the net from a free header from Mesut Ozil's cross.
Cardiff forced Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny into a fine save as they enjoyed a dominant spell during the second half.


But Mathieu Flamini as a substitute sealed the points for Arsenal with a tremendous strike four minutes from time, with Ozil once again turning provider with a neat pass. Ramsey then grabbed his second of the game in injury time when he finished from Theo Walcott's pass.
Everton continued their excellent start to Premier League life under Roberto Martinez with a 4-0 demolition of Stoke City at Goodison Park.

• O'Farrell: Stylish Everton too good for Stoke
Martinez kept faith in Gerard Deulofeu and the Barcelona loanee almost fired the home side in front early on. His free kick was well saved by Stoke shot-stopper Asmir Begovic, who was called into action again minutes later after the winger worked himself through the Stoke defence with ease.
However, Deulofeu was rewarded for his hard work on the stroke of half-time when he finished off a fine, flowing team move to open the scoring.

Seamus Coleman doubled Everton's lead four minutes after the break, completing another good move started by Deulofeu. The defender arrived late to steer Gareth Barry's touch into the top corner.
Everton sealed the points on the hour mark when Bryan Oviedo fired his shot off the post and past the hapless Begovic, before Romelu Lukaku completed the rout late on.
Newcastle United made it four Premier League wins in a row with a 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion in the evening kickoff and moved up to fifth in the process.

• Ryder: Newcastle keep rolling with West Brom win
The Magpies' Yoan Gouffran headed home on 36 minutes after Boaz Myhill failed to deal with a corner, but Chris Brunt hit back with a powerful shot in the second half.
However, in the 57th minute Newcastle regained the lead via a brilliant Moussa Sissoko effort that swerved home from distance and secured all three points.
West Ham piled yet more misery on Martin Jol as Fulham crashed to a fifth straight league defeat following a 3-0 loss at Upton Park.

• Delaney: Three Things - West Ham vs. Fulham
Fulham were immediately under pressure as Modibo Maiga headed Mark Noble's free kick onto the post, while James Collins could only steer his effort wide from Stewart Downing's corner.
However, the home side were ahead shortly after the interval. Mohamed Diame took advantage of sloppy play from Steve Sidwell, before his effort took a huge deflection on its way into the net.
Sam Allardyce cut a frustrated figure on the touchline as more chances went begging; Darren Bent was on hand to clear James Tomkins' header off the line shortly before Downing's cross landed on top of the crossbar. For the visitors, Pajtim Kasami went close when 25 yards out.

PA PhotosCarlton Cole helped to ease the pressure on West Ham manager Sam Allardyce.

But it was only a matter of time before West Ham were rewarded for their domination. Carlton Cole steered in Downing's cross in the 82nd minute before Joe Cole hammered home in the dying minutes.
Norwich held on to record a 1-0 victory over bottom-placed Crystal Palace at Carrow Road.

The home side took the initiative early as Johan Elmander flicked the ball onto the underside of the crossbar before Nathan Redmond's effort tested Julian Speroni minutes later.

However, Redmond was in the thick of it on the half hour mark; his cross was laid off by Wes Hoolahan for Gary Hooper to smash the ball in for his side's only goal.

Palace offered a swift response and were unlucky not to be level almost immediately, First, John Ruddy palmed Jason Puncheon's shot out before Martin Olsson headed Barry Bannan's effort onto the crossbar.
The trend continued after half-time as Sebastien Bassong sliced Dean Moxey's cross narrowly over his own crossbar, but Chris Hughton's men stood firm.

Elsewhere, Sunderland earned a point after holding Aston Villa to a goalless draw at Villa Park.
Gabriel Agbonlahor's early effort tested the hands of Vito Mannone, while Christian Benteke should have done better when side-footing Ashley Westwood's lay-off over the woodwork.

Craig Gardner was denied a goal against his former employers thanks to an offside flag as the away side enjoyed a spell of pressure. Poyet's side were denied a penalty when Ciaran Clark's apparent handball was waved away, before Emanuele Giaccherini wasted a glorious opportunity when shooting over from two yards out.

However, Sunderland, who have not registered a goal on their travels since August, could not capitalise on any momentum and had to settle for a share of the spoils.