PREMIER LEAGUE Lingard brace lifts Man United
London, Dec. 3: Manchester United ended Arsenal’s 12-match home winning run in a breathless encounter to close the gap on Manchester City on Saturday but Tottenham slipped further off the pace with a costly draw at Watford.
United’s 3-1 victory took them to within five points of the Premier League summit following emphatic wins for Chelsea and Liverpool earlier in the day.
But Mauricio Pochettino must find a way of lifting struggling Spurs after they dropped two more points against Watford with a 1-1 draw at Vicarage Road that leaves them 15 points off the pace.
United quashed all thoughts of shutting up shop and were immediately on the front foot, taking the lead through captain Antonio Valencia in the fourth minute and doubling their lead just minutes later through in-form Jesse Lingard.
Arsenal came back strongly, attacking in waves and pulled a goal back early in the second half through Alexandre Lacazette but United reestablished a two-goal margin through Lingard again.
As the match lost some of its high-octane momentum, referee Andre Marriner sent off Paul Pogba for a studs-up tackle on Hector Bellerin to change the balance of the contest, but Arsenal could not take advantage.
In a thrilling end-to-end contest United looked irresistible on the break but Arsenal had more than 70 percent of possession in the first half, hitting 15 shots as David De Gea’s goal led a charmed life.
The Spaniard was incredible throughout but the highlight was an astonishing double save to keep United’s lead intact at 2-1.
HAZARD BRACE
Eden Hazard’s eye-catching performance helped Chelsea came back from a goal down to ease to a 3-1 victory courtesy of two goals from Hazard — including an impudent penalty — either side of an Alvaro Morata header.
Liverpool blitzed Brighton 5-1 with goals from Emre Can, a brace from Roberto Firmino, a late strike from Philippe Coutinho and a Lewis Dunk own goal.
Leicester City won 1-0 at home to Burnley courtesy of an early strike from flying winger Demarai Gray.
Everton beat Huddersfield 2-0 and Stoke came from behind to beat Swansea 2-1 while West Brom drew 0-0 against Crystal Palace.