Reiss Nelson was the unlikely hero as Arsenal retook top spot in the Premier League with a 5-0 thrashing of Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

Nelson was introduced for the first time in the Premier League this season after Bukayo Saka was forced off with a concerning injury for England boss Gareth Southgate just weeks ahead of the World Cup.

Saka set up the opening goal for Gabriel Martinelli after just five minutes before being replaced due to an ankle injury.

Nelson struck his first Premier League goal since July 2020 early in the second half to give Arsenal breathing space.

He added a second just three minutes later and then teed up Thomas Partey to curl into the top corner.

“It couldn’t have got gone much better than that for me after coming on,” said Nelson, who spent last season on loan at Feyenoord.

“Once the goals started going in it was a great game to play in. I have been working so hard in training waiting for my chance and I’m delighted to get it.”

Martin Odegaard rounded off a performance that shrugged off doubts over Arsenal’s ability to contend for the title by firing high past Dean Henderson 13 minutes from time.

Victory lifts Mikel Arteta’s men a point above Manchester City at the top of the table.

“It’s great to be there,” said Arteta. “It’s always a difficult to win in this league and today we had a tricky game after travelling and playing in Europe and I think the team responded really well.”

Mari support

The Arsenal players came together to show support to teammate Pablo Mari before kick-off.

Mari, who is on loan at Monza, was stabbed during a knife attack in an Italian supermarket this week that left one person dead.

That incident put Arsenal’s bad week on the field into perspective after a 1-1 draw at Southampton last weekend was followed by a 2-0 defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the Europa League.

Any fears that the Gunners were beginning to feel the fatigue of a packed schedule were blown away in a blistering opening.

Martinelli ducked to meet Saka’s inviting cross with his head to open the floodgates.

But Saka’s departure is a major worry for Arteta ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Chelsea next weekend.

“He had a really bad kick and he tried, but he could not carry on,” added Arteta.

Forest had begun to find some form on their return to the top flight for the first time in 23 years in recent weeks, including a 1-0 win over Liverpool last weekend.

But only towards the end of the first half did they ever threaten to cause the hosts problems as Takehiro Tomiyasu threw himself in front of Jesse Lingard’s effort.

Nelson quickly settled the game after the break as he blasted past Henderson after his first effort was saved and then turned in Gabriel Jesus’ cross at the near post.

Partey made it four in style as he caressed the ball into the top corner from 25 yards.

Jesus was trying everything he could to end a seven-game goal drought, but had to settle for a second assist as from his pass, Odegaard found the space to fire home the fifth.

Rashford’s 100th

Marcus Rashford admitted his 100th goal for Manchester United was a “beautiful moment” as the England forward sealed a 1-0 win against West Ham on Sunday.

Rashford has been one of United’s most improved players this season after several years in the doldrums.

But the 24-year-old is still not guaranteed a place on England’s flight to Qatar for the World Cup in November.

Rashford, who was left out of England’s most recent Nations League squad, took the chance to remind Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate of his qualities with a fine display capped by the first-half winner at Old Trafford.

With Southgate watching from the stands, Rashford’s seventh goal in all competitions this season was perfectly timed before the England manager names his World Cup squad.

“It’s a beautiful feeling. It’s been on my mind the last couple of games. I’ve been waiting for it to come and thankfully it did today,” Rashford said.

“I feel I need to score more goals like that and keep getting in those areas. It’s always good to score regardless of whether Gareth Southgate is watching or not.”

After netting against Sheriff in the Europa League on Thursday, Rashford said Erik ten Hag was a “joy” to play for as he hailed the United manager’s role in his revival.

“It’s a complete different energy around the whole club and training ground. That for a start puts me in a better head space,” Rashford said.

“I just feel really motivated now. Last year I struggled at times with things off the pitch and wasn’t mentally right.”

Thanks to Rashford, the 22nd player to score a century of goals for United, and a series of superb saves from David De Gea, Ten Hag’s side are up to fifth place in the Premier League.

Unbeaten in their last eight games in all competitions, United are one point behind fourth-placed Newcastle in the race to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

United had to ride their luck at times, with their defence creaking as the much-maligned Harry Maguire made his first league start since August 13 in place of the injured Raphael Varane.

And Ten Hag was underwhelmed by United’s overall performance, saying: “I think we have to manage that better, it is clear.

“Second-half possession was quite poor and it became what I call a tennis match, going from one side to the other. But the spirit in the team is great.”

Red-hot Rashford

Rashford carried the main threat for United and he cut through the West Ham defence for a powerful drive that hit Craig Dawson and looped just over the bar.

Rashford went close again with a header from Diogo Dalot’s cross that forced West Ham keeper Lukasz Fabianski into action.

Cristiano Ronaldo was making his first league start since the goalless draw against Newcastle on October 16, having been granted a return to the team following his brief exile after refusing to come on as a substitute against Tottenham.

But it was Rashford who struck in the 38th minute with a perfectly-timed run to the far post, where he leapt above Thilo Kehrer to meet Christian Eriksen’s superb cross with a bullet header from six yards.

Rashford remained red hot in the second half, skipping past his marker for a curler that whistled narrowly wide from the edge of the area.

Ronaldo was left shaking his head in disbelief after squandering two good chances in quick succession as he headed over and then shot wide.

In a tense finish, it was De Gea who ended as United’s saviour as the Spaniard denied Michail Antonio with a good stop, then made an even better save to keep out Kurt Zouma’s header.

Dea Gea saved his best for last when he dived to his left at full-stretch to make a brilliant save from Declan Rice’s goalbound blast.