Declan Rice delivered a match-winning performance as Arsenal came from behind to beat Bournemouth 3–2 on the south coast on Saturday, opening up a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.

The England midfielder underlined his credentials as a strong contender for the league’s player of the season award by scoring two near-identical goals in the second half, guiding Arsenal to a fifth successive league victory.

Rice, who had been a doubt for the match due to a knee injury that ruled him out of the midweek win over Aston Villa, returned to decisive effect and proved the difference between the two sides.

“We are going to need everyone chipping in at different points so happy to help the team,” Rice said after scoring twice in a Premier League match for the first time.

Arsenal fell behind early when Evanilson capitalised on a loose pass from Gabriel Magalhaes in the 10th minute, stroking the ball into an unguarded net. The Brazilian defender made amends six minutes later, firing home the equaliser after a driving run by Noni Madueke, marking his second goal in as many starts since returning from injury.

Rice then took control of the contest with two composed, low side-footed finishes in the second half, putting Arsenal firmly in command. Bournemouth substitute Eli Junior Kroupi pulled one back with a long-range effort in the 76th minute to set up a tense finale, but the visitors held on.

Also read: Premier League: Arsenal tops table, City and Villa close behind

The victory keeps Aston Villa and Manchester City at arm’s length in the title race. Villa remain Arsenal’s closest challengers after a 3–1 win over Nottingham Forest, while City can climb back to second place, four points behind the leaders, with a win over Chelsea on Sunday.

Villa rebounded strongly from their first defeat in two months, inflicted by Arsenal earlier in the week, with captain John McGinn scoring twice in the second half. His goals came after Ollie Watkins’ long-range opener in first-half stoppage time.

Morgan Gibbs-White briefly gave Forest hope before McGinn restored Villa’s two-goal cushion following a goalkeeping error, rounding Forest keeper John Victor and scoring from distance. Victor was forced off injured immediately after the goal.

Elsewhere, Wolves ended a historically poor start to their top-flight campaign with a 3–0 victory over West Ham, registering their first league win of the season. Goals from Jhon Arias, Hwang Hee-chan and Mateus Mané moved Wolves onto six points.

Wolves manager Rob Edwards admitted mixed emotions after the win. “We should enjoy it,” he said, “but it’s only one win. That’s all it is.”

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo described his side’s display as “embarrassing”.

“I don’t recall one day that I felt so bad in a football pitch,” Nuno said.