Arsenal kept themselves in the title race with an accomplished 3-0 win over Watford at Vicarage Road.
Alexis Sanchez, Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey all netted in the second half as the Gunners moved up into second place and just two points behind leaders Manchester City.
Realistically the Gunners title aspirations are still uncertain and City are understandably firm favourites to lift the Premier League crown, but Arsene Wenger's men at least got a positive result to keep themselves in contention.
Arsenal produced a superb display to beat Manchester United in their previous game so all eyes were on them to see whether or not they could produce the same again. Although the Gunners didn't play with the same fluency against the Hornets they still did what mattered most to get all three points.
Former Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes was called into action in the first half to deny Theo Walcott and Sanchez. Ramsey also sent a volley over the bar while, at the other end, Troy Deeney forced Petr Cech into a decent save.
Arsenal finally broke the deadlock shortly after the hour mark when Sanchez pounced on a loose ball to fire home.
The visitors soon doubled their advantage after 68 minutes when Mesut Ozil cut the ball back for Giroud to fire a shot beyond Gomes and into the roof of the net.
Wenger's men completed the scoring 16 minutes from time when Ramsey scored from close range following an excellent run from Hector Bellerin.
Arsenal tried to add further gloss to the scoreline but Gomes came to the rescue to deny Giroud, but that didn't stop the visitors from being good value for the win.
OPPOSITION'S VIEW
Watford fan Phil Benson was full of praise for Arsenal but still found reason to be upbeat despite the home defeat.
"I am gutted about the result," said Benson. "Arsenal's passing was out of this world.
"Even when we looked comfortable, we knew that one pass could unlock all our good work. As it happened it was a real sucker punch to lose the game by such a scoreline.
"Having seen it again I do think (Etienne) Capoue was fouled before the opening goal- not a penalty - but chances are it would be a free-kick elsewhere on the pitch, so we have a little right to feel aggrieved.
"Having said that I was really pleased with Watford's performance up until that first goal. We were compact and managed to carve a few good chances. But, as I commented to a friend, as soon as we were required to chase the game it was likely we would concede more.
"So a tale of missed chances, a little rough luck, and Arsenal's supreme quality won the day - but there is no shame in losing to a much better team."
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
Before the match I was confident that we would win this match, but at the same time I knew it could also be a potential banana skin so I am delighted that we came away with all three points.
In terms of the title race it is still too early to say whether or not we have a chance. Mathematically we are only two points off the leaders Manchester City so, yes, we do have a chance. But we have also been so near, and yet so far, in previous seasons, so I am not about to get carried away. Let's just wait and see what happens.
But before we can even begin to think about our next league game against Everton we must turn our attentions to the Champions League. After disappointing defeats to Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiakos, the game against European giants Bayern Munich has become even bigger. Before our European campaign began, it seemed likely that this clash would determine who would finish first and second in the group. As it stands, this has actually become a must win game to even stay in the competition. Bayern Munich are going to be by far the hardest opposition we have faced so far this season, so we must make sure we are on top form if we are to have any chance of getting all three points. Here's hoping we reproduce the first-half performance from the game against Manchester United earlier this month.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
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