Late Alexandre Lacazette strike for Arsenal gives Emery 1st away win
Alexandre Lacazette’s late strike gave Unai Emery his first away win as Arsenal manager in the Premier League as the Gunners overcame Cardiff 3-2 yesterday.
Arsenal was twice pegged back as goals from Shkodran Mustafi and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were canceled out by Victor Camarasa and Danny Ward as both teams defended poorly in Cardiff.
However, Lacazette’s fine strike nine minutes from the end ensured Emery got a second straight Premier League win.
Petr Cech’s ongoing struggle with adjusting to Emery’s demand that his side pass the ball out almost gave Cardiff the opener. The Arsenal goalkeeper gave the ball straight to Harry Arter, who wastefully shot over the bar from the edge of the box.
Having escaped, Arsenal took the lead moments later as Mustafi powerfully headed in Granit Xhaka’s corner in the 11th minute.
Arsenal almost extended its advantage shortly after the halfhour mark as Lacazette hit the post with a left-footed effort.
Cardiff struck back in first-half stoppage time when Xhaka undid his earlier good work by giving the ball away. Camarasa received the ball at the back post and powered his shot past Cech to claim Cardiff’s first league goal of the season.
Arsenal retook the lead in the 62nd as Lacazette teed up Aubameyang with a smart flick, allowing the Gabon forward to curl in from just outside the box.
Cardiff’s direct approach paid off once more, though, as it hit back eight minutes later. Sean Morrison headed back across the box for Danny Ward who guided his own header in off the post.
However, it was the game’s standout performer who decided the match. With nine minutes remaining, Lacazette received the ball on the right side of the box before creating space and lashing a powerful effort high into the net at the near post.
Lukaku double gives Man United 2-0 win at Burnley
Romelu Lukaku’s first-half double gave an improved Manchester United a 2-0 win over Burnley in the Premier League yesterday.
Only a second-half penalty miss from Paul Pogba, and Marcus Rashford’s sending off shortly after, prevented United from producing the margin of victory its dominant performance merited.
But considering the media spotlight on United and manager Jose Mourinho’s future after the previous round of fixtures, Rashford’s red card being the biggest drama represents a form of respite for the club.
After a promising opening, Lukaku settled any remaining nerves by heading in Alexis Sanchez’s cross in the 27th minute.
The Belgium forward should have scored again soon after as Sanchez teed him up once more, but this time Burnley goalkeeper Joe Hart saved his chipped effort.
However, Lukaku was ruthless with the next opportunity that came his way. Jesse Lingard’s shot was blocked and fell kindly for Lukaku to turn home from close range.
Pogba should have put United out of sight in the 70th but had his spot kick saved by Hart after Rashford, who looked lively after being introduced from the bench, was fouled.
Moments later, Rashford reacted angrily to a kick from Phil Bardsley by pushing his forehead into the face of the Burnley defender.
Referee Jonathan Moss deemed the incident violent conduct and showed Rashford a straight red card, just 11 minutes after the striker had entered the match.
Despite being a man down, United gave as good as it got in the final stages. Lukaku should have completed his hat trick - after earlier being denied the chance to take the penalty - when Pogba played him through on goal.
Watford stays perfect with 2-1 win over Tottenham
Watford kept its perfect Premier League record at Tottenham's expense with a 2-1 win.
Spurs made a real early-season statement with a 3-0 demolition of Manchester United on Monday night to make it three wins from three, but could not follow it up as the Hornets beat them for the first time in 11 Premier League meetings.
Tottenham went ahead early in the second half when Abdoulaye Doucoure scored an own-goal, but headers from Troy Deeney and Craig Cathcart in the space of seven minutes turned it around for the hosts.
Watford has now won its first four league games of a season for the first time since 1988, and joins Liverpool and Chelsea as the only teams to have won every top-tier game so far.
It needed a Watford player to put through his own net to give Tottenham a 53rd-minute lead.
After the Hornets failed to clear the ball properly, Lucas Moura drove the ball across goal and it cannoned off Doucoure and into the bottom corner.
Deeney climbed highest from Jose Holebas’ dangerous free kick to power a header into the bottom corner in the 69th for the equaliser.
And Watford showed its prowess from set-pieces again seven minutes later when Cathcart thundered an effort in from a corner to put his side in front.
Tottenham should have equalized as late as the 87th but Harry Kane, whose sub-par performance set the tone for his team, headed over from close range. Liverpool Chelsea Watford Man City Tottenham Bournemouth Everton Leicester Arsenal Wolves Southampton Fulham Brighton Man United Crystal Palace Cardiff Huddersfield Newcastle Burnley West Ham
Championship
Yesterday Ipswich Town-Norwich City ............... 1-1 Bristol City-Blackburn R .................... 4-1
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