Crystal Palace’ was spelt incorrectly on some of the paper tickets for this clash at the Emirates Stadium. No such errors on the pitch from Arsenal.

There are no signs of the capitulation that many predicted would come. No indication of the wheels, however slightly, coming off Arsenal’s title challenge.

Eight points clear at the Premier League summit with 10 games to go after this most clinical of victories over Palace – who remain without a win in 2023. If Arsenal are going to stutter, then they are leaving it bloody late.

Of course, whether the Gunners can pip Manchester City to win their first championship since 2004 means diddly to Palace. The fact the ‘y’ and ’s’ had switched places in ‘Crystal’ on a number of the away supporters’ tickets here is just as inconsequential.

Palace have far bigger concerns. They are sleep-walking into a relegation fight, the club currently three points clear of 18th placed West Ham – who have two games in hand over their London rivals.

Patrick Vieira paid the ultimate price for the team’s dreadful form on Friday when he was sacked. As we revealed last week, a return for Roy Hodgson, who vacated the role to make way for Vieira two years ago, is not being discounted.

But at the age of 75, why would a retired Hodgson need this sort of aggro? If he was watching this, you wouldn’t blame him for having reservations.

Palace were resolute for a while. Wilfred Zaha was unlucky not to fire the Eagles ahead in the 11th minute, the effort he tried squeezing in at the near post striking a post before ricocheting back off Aaron Ramsdale and out for a corner.

When things are going for you, the ball rebounds off the keeper and inside the post. Suffice to say the ball isn’t rolling for Palace at the moment. That’s why Vieira was given his marching orders.

Vieira’s a legend on this side of north London, indeed the home supporters took great pleasure blasting out their famous song about the Frenchman during various junctures here. That will be scant consolation for Vieira, of course, who believed he could steady a ship that is struggling to stay afloat.

For the time being, the job of leading Palace has been bestowed upon under-21 coach Paddy McCarthy.

His audition for the job here begun with promising signs. Soon after Zaha’s opportunity, Odsonne Edouard broke clear only to be denied by Ramsdale – although the Palace striker was eventually ruled off side.

• The Daily Mail report