Arsenal produced a scintillating display of attacking football to crush Crystal Palace 5-1 and close to within two points of second-placed Manchester United in the Premier League yesterday.

Strikers Dennis Bergkamp, Jose Antonio Reyes and Thierry Henry scored three goals within eight minutes just before halftime and Patrick Vieira and Henry completed the rout after the interval.

The champions moved to 57 points from 27 matches, 11 adrift of leaders Chelsea. Palace remained 17th, two points above the relegation zone.

The visitors made a bright start at Highbury and Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann nearly conceded a comical own goal when he allowed a back pass from Gael Clichy to slide under his foot.

The German also reacted smartly to keep out a snap shot from Palace striker Dougie Freedman but Arsenal gradually took control of the match.

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