Man U beats Arsenal 3-1 in EPL as de Gea shines
JESSE Lingard scored twice for Manchester United and goalkeeper David de Gea pulled off a string of stunning saves in a 3-1 win over Arsenal to keep pace in the English Premier League race on Saturday.
The result left United in second place behind Manchester City before both teams meet next week.
De Gea made 14 saves, equalling the record for the most in a Premier League match.
It was a pulsating contest from start to finish at Emirates Stadium, with a glut of shots on goal, amazing goalkeeping, a sending off, and textbook counter-attacks.
“The game was fantastic,” United manager Jose Mourinho said.
“If I was in the stands, or if I was at home watching, I would be sad to see the game finish. In my case, it’s different because I want to win. I wanted to see the game finish.”
United’s first two goals came early on from sloppy play in possession by Arsenal. Antonio Valencia intercepted a poor pass from defender Laurent Koscielny that was meant for wing back Sead Kolasinac. The Ecuadorean quickly drove forward and exchanged passes with Paul Pogba. Valencia struck a low shot that went in between goalkeeper Petr Cech’s legs in the fourth minute.
Lingard doubled the lead in the 11th after Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi gave the ball away in United’s half. Anthony Martial flicked on to Lingard in the area and the latter’s effort careened in off a post.
Arsenal got back into the match in the 49th when United defender Marcos Rojo tried and failed to play Alexandre Lacazette offside. Midfielder Aaron Ramsey was onside when he touched the ball back to Lacazette who fired it past De Gea. But it was the Spaniard’s quick reflexes that kept his team in the match, especially when he denied Arsenal an equaliser with a double save in the 57th from Lacazette and Alexis Sanchez. But the home side’s optimism for a comeback was then snuffed out in the 63rd when United hit Arsenal on the break.
Pogba drove forward into the box and held off Koscielny to pull back a pass for Lingard, who converted an easy tap-in.
Pogba was sent off for stamping on Hector Bellerin’s leg which means the Frenchman will miss the Manchester derby.