Few goalkeepers get the man-of-the-match award when their team wins 3-0. Petr Cech did just that on Sunday in Arsenal's victory over Watford as he set a Premier League record for keeping a clean sheet.
The Czech Republic and former Chelsea 'keeper also saved a penalty on his way to bringing up a 200th EPL clean sheet over the last 14 years. It was the first time the 35-year-old Cech has kept out a spot-kick since joining Arsenal in 2015.
"It's an unbelievable personal milestone obviously," Cech said. "We took only 18 games to get nine clean sheets at the start of the season and since then we've had to wait 11 games which is sometimes frustrating."
Arsenal French manager Arsene Wenger yells during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Watford at the Emirates stadium in London, Sunday, March 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan each contributed a goal and an assist after Shkodran Mustafi's header had given the Gunners an early lead in a clinical attacking display at the Emirates Stadium.
The scoreline was flattering for Arsenal, which ended a three-game Premier League losing streak, but Watford only had itself to blame after spurning multiple chances, most notably captain Troy Deeney's tame penalty.
Arsenal was menacing in attack right from the start as Mesut Ozil slid Aubameyang through on goal within two minutes, only for Watford goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis to save well with his legs.
Arsenal's Shkodran Mustafi, left, heads the ball to score his side's opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Watford at the Emirates stadium in London, Sunday, March 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
However, Ozil wouldn't be denied his 50th Premier League assist for long. The Germany midfielder became the fastest man to reach that milestone — in 141 games — when Mustafi headed his precise free kick back across goal in the eighth minute.
As good as Arsenal was going forward, it was vulnerable at the other end. Watford should have leveled when Cech palmed Richarlison's free kick into the path of Roberto Pereyra, who failed to direct the bouncing ball into an open goal.
Ozil had an equally good chance moments later as he glided into the penalty area before Karnezis made another fine save with his legs.
Arsenal's Mesut Ozil, left, is challenged by Watford's Adrian Mariappa during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Watford at the Emirates stadium in London, Sunday, March 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Watford controlled the game either side of halftime, but was punished for failing to make its dominance pay when Aubameyang doubled the lead in the 59th as he rounded Karnezis after latching onto Mkhitaryan's through ball.
Watford had the chance to pull a goal back instantly as Ashley Maitland-Niles brought down Pereyra. Deeney, who was extremely vocal with his criticism of Arsenal after the sides last met, was denied by Cech much to the delight of the Emirates crowd.
"He (Deeney) scored a penalty when we played the first game over there and he kind of surprised me that he shot the other side," said Cech, who had 10 seasons and 162 clean sheets with Chelsea.
Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scores his side's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Watford at the Emirates stadium in London, Sunday, March 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
"Sometimes you just go and you have that feeling and today I felt it."
The victory was finally sealed 13 minutes from the end, when Aubameyang set up Mkhitaryan for his first league goal in an Arsenal shirt.
Arsenal's Henrikh Mkhitaryan celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Watford at the Emirates stadium in London, Sunday, March 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
AFC Bournemouth's Junior Stanislas scores his side's first goal of the game against Tottenham Hotspur during their English Premier League soccer match at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, Sunday March 11, 2018. (John Walton/PA via AP)
Tottenham overcomes Kane injury to beat Bournemouth 4-1
Tottenham overcame an injury scare for Harry Kane to keep its Premier League top-four hopes on track with a 4-1 victory at Bournemouth on Sunday.
Kane left the field with just over half an hour played at the Vitality Stadium after sustaining an ankle problem while scoring an offside goal. Bournemouth had already gone ahead through Junior Stanislas, but Dele Alli leveled before Son Heung-min struck twice and Serge Aurier added a fourth.
Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-Min scores his side's second goal of the game against AFC Bournemouth during their English Premier League soccer match at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, Sunday March 11, 2018. (John Walton/PA via AP)
Tottenham moved into third, a point above Liverpool, and five points clear of fifth-place Chelsea with eight games remaining in the race for Champions League qualification.
"It was a perfect answer after a massive disappointment against Juventus," Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino said. "It's true that we concede the first goal but I think the team was better than Bournemouth and the attitude was great."
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino looks on ahead of their match against AFC Bournemouth during their English Premier League soccer match at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, Sunday March 11, 2018. (John Walton/PA via AP)
Spurs appeared to be suffering a hangover from its midweek Champions League exit — after losing to Juventus — when Stanislas netted after just seven minutes. He chested down Adam Smith's cross at the back post before arrowing his finish into the bottom corner.
The situation worsened for Spurs when Kane was forced off in the 34th after colliding with Bournemouth goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.
Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-Min, left, celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game against Bournemouth with team mate Tottenham Hotspur's Dele Alli during their English Premier League soccer match at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, Sunday March 11, 2018. (John Walton/PA via AP)
However, having breezed through the opening half-hour, Spurs appeared to be galvanized by the loss of its talisman and struck almost immediately when Alli volleyed in at the far post.
Tottenham was rewarded for its patience when Alli picked out Son at the back post to finish a fine team move in the 62nd.
Spurs controlled the game from that point and finally put it away in the closing stages as Son raced clear before rounding Begovic and finding the empty net for his seventh goal in his last four games.
Gloss was added to the scoreline in stoppage time when Aurier took advantage of Begovic flapping at Kieran Trippier's cross to nod in a fourth.
Bournemouth remains six points clear of the relegation zone with 33 points.
Tottenham's Harry Kane leaves Bournemouth game with injury
Tottenham forward Harry Kane was forced off with an injury during a Premier League match with Bournemouth on Sunday.
The England striker received treatment to his ankle following a collision with Bournemouth goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, before walking off gingerly and heading down the tunnel.
A prolonged absence for Kane, who is the Premier League's joint top scorer with Liverpool's Mohamed Salah on 24 goals this season, would put a major dent in Tottenham's hopes of a top-four finish and Champions League qualification.
The injury will also be a worry for England, with Kane expected to lead the line for Gareth Southgate's side at this summer's World Cup in Russia.
England's opening game is against Tunisia in Volgograd on June 18th.