LONDON — Arsenal revived its hopes of a top-four finish with first-half goals by Alexandre Lacazette and Laurent Koscielny securing a comfortable 2-0 derby win at home to toothless Chelsea Saturday.

Chelsea’s lack of punch in the final third of the pitch was evident again as it enjoyed 64 percent of possession without ever really threatening to unlock Arsenal’s defense.

Arsenal was far sharper as an attacking force and deserved more than Lacazette’s superb 14th-minute effort and skipper Koscielny’s scruffy second in a scintillating opening period.

But those goals, and a resolute defensive display after the break, proved enough to give Arsenal only their third home league win against Chelsea in 10 years.

It also meant that, having begun the match in sixth spot after Manchester United’s win over Brighton and Hove Albion, it moved back into fifth place on goal difference with 44 points, three behind fourth-placed Chelsea.

“Today we needed to win. We made a mistake last week (at West Ham) so today’s game was a six-pointer,” Koscielny said.

Dortmund 6 points clear

Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund narrowly beat RB Leipzig 1-0 Saturday courtesy of Axel Witsel’s first half winner, to protect their six point lead over champion Bayern Munich at the restart of the German top flight following the winter break.

Dortmund was missing in-form captain Marco Reus, who suffered a ligament injury in training Friday. But it still managed to earn its eighth win in its last nine league matches, also thanks to Roman Buerki’s string of fine saves.

It was also Leipzig’s first home loss of the season and Dortmund’s first league win there since it opponent was promoted to the Bundesliga a few seasons ago.

Anti-racism campaign in Italy

Inter Milan launched its anti-racism campaign in reaction to last month’s abuse of Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly as 11,000 local schoolchildren watched a goalless draw with Sassuolo at the San Siro Saturday.

Inter Milan was ordered to play two matches behind closed doors as punishment for racist chants and monkey noises directed at Napoli’s Koulibaly on Dec. 26.

Luciano Spalletti’s side responded, with permission from Serie A, by inviting children from local schools to the stadium as they launched their ‘BUU’ initiative, aimed at turning the chant into an acronym for ‘Brothers Universally United’.

“With the BUU — Brothers Universally United campaign, Inter wanted to send out a strong message,” said club chief executive Giuseppe Marotta.

“It’s an initiative that demonstrates how much the club cares about certain values.”

Inter Milan is now four points behind Napoli.

Earlier, Roma maintained its return to form by holding on for a 3-2 win over Torino to move into the Champions League places. — Agencies