Manchester City’s new signing Omar Marmoush bagged a hat-trick in 14 first-half minutes in a 4-0 rout of Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday, making an emphatic statement in his first start since arriving at the club last month.

James McAtee added a late strike for Pep Guardiola’s side who climbed to fourth place in the standings on 44 points, while Newcastle slipped to seventh on 41.

The 26-year-old Marmoush gave the hosts the lead in the 19th minute when City goalkeeper Ederson launched a long pass that defender Kieran Trippier misjudged and the Egyptian lobbed the ball over the onrushing Martin Dubravka.

Marmoush doubled his tally five minutes later when he latched onto a pass from Ilkay Gundogan before firing in a low shot that took a slight deflection off Trippier. The striker completed his hat-trick in the 33rd when Savinho found him with acres of space for a blistering shot from 12 yards out.

In Saturday’s early kick-off, midfielder Mikel Merino scored two late goals to keep Arsenal’s title hopes alive with a 2-0 victory at Leicester City, after the Spaniard was thrust into a makeshift centre-forward role by his club’s injury crisis up front.

Arsenal move to 53 points from their 25 matches, four behind leaders Liverpool having played a game more, while Leicester remain in the relegation zone with 17 points from their 25 fixtures this season.

Substitute Merino rose to head in teenager Ethan Nwaneri’s cross from the right in the 81st minute, before tapping home unmarked at the back post when Leandro Trossard’s inviting ball picked him out six minutes later.

“Mikel Arteta told me I would come on as a striker and to make sure I play to my strengths. It is the first time in my career that I play in that position,” Merino told TNT.

Fulham meanwhile put a dent in Nottingham Forest’s top-four aspirations as defender Calvin Bassey’s first goal of the season sealed a 2-1 home victory for the London club.

Bassey’s well-directed header in the 62nd minute left Forest empty-handed despite Chris Wood scoring his 18th league goal of the season for the visitors.

Emile Smith-Rowe headed in Adama Traore’s cross to give Fulham an early lead at Craven Cottage but striker Wood levelled before halftime with a clinical finish.

Forest were unable to make much of an impression after Bassey’s goal and a lively Fulham side could have added to their lead on several occasions.

While Forest remained in third place with 47 points from 25 games, Fulham are firmly in the hunt for European qualification, sitting in eighth spot with 39 points.

Elsewhere, Dango Ouattara, Ryan Christie and Marcus Tavernier were all on the scoresheet as Bournemouth comfortably beat struggling Southampton 3-1 at St Mary’s Stadium.

The visitors hit Southampton with two rapid-fire goals, with Ouattara opening the scoring in the 14th minute with a glancing header and two minutes later Christie doubled their lead.

Kamaldeen Sulemana pulled one back for Southampton in the 72nd minute as the Ghanaian forward buried the ball into the bottom corner, but substitute Tavernier netted in the 83rd to seal all three points for Bournemouth.

Southampton remain bottom with nine points from 25 matches, while Bournemouth moved up to fifth with 43 points.

Kevin Schade’s early goal gave Brentford a 1-0 win at West Ham United, after the hosts recovered from a woeful first half but were unable to find an equaliser.

Brentford took the lead inside four minutes after West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola clawed away Schade’s shot from behind the line, but the visitors could not find the second goal their dominance deserved.

The home side’s momentum after the restart fizzled out and Brentford were relatively comfortable in holding on for a win which kept them 11th in the standings.