Crystal Palace 2 Arsenal 3: Gunners go level with Tottenham as Arsene Wenger equals Sir Alex Ferguson’s record

Arsenal ended Crystal Palace’s eight-match unbeaten run to move level on points with rivals Tottenham.

The win was only Arsenal’s second in six league matches, on a night which saw Arsene Wenger equal Sir Alex Ferguson’s record 810 matches at the helm of a Premier League side.

The Gunners took the lead on 25 minutes through Shkodran Mustafi – what was his first away goal for the club.

The defender is making a habit of scoring in London derbies this season – having scored the opener in the win over Spurs back in November.

The German found the back of the net with a well-executed half-volley after Julian Speroni had kept out a curling effort from Alexandre Lacazette.

But the half-time deficit sparked Palace into life at the restart. Wilfried Zaha, booked at the end of the first half, was evidentially fired up.

His trickery on the left flank saw the ball zipped inside to Andros Townsend who, first time, whipped home the equaliser. It was the former Tottenham man’s second goal in as many games against Arsenal.

But having been defeated by a resurgent Palace at Selhurst Park last season, Arsenal seemed determined to make amends.

The game opened up as the home side, buoyed by the energised support, sensed a second goal, and it was then when the visitors struck two telling blows.

Alexis Sanchez fired low past Speroni at his near post to restore Arsenal’s lead, before the Chile international latched onto a delightful through-pass from Jack Wilshere to score his second, and Arsenal’s third, just four minutes later.

It was the champagne moment that Wilshere’s performance deserved in truth; with the midfielder once again proving himself the perfect movement to makes Arsenal’s attack operate like clockwork.

But Palace continued to push, and James Tomkins’ late goal was a testament to the newfound spirit inspired by Roy Hodgson. It may not have been enough here, but they could have easily buckled after Sanchez’s quickfire double.

For Palace, defeat leaves them in 16th place at the end of gameweek 20, a point above the relegation zone ahead of their New Year’s Eve clash with Manchester City at Selhurst Park.

For Arsenal, it’s an away trip to West Brom up next, before another London derby, with Chelsea at the Emirates next Wednesday.