Man United sink Arsenal in thriller
Jesse Lingard scored a double for Manchester United to beat Arsenal 3-1 and keep pace in the English Premier League title race.
A splendid performance by goalkeeper David de Gea left United in second place behind Manchester City before both teams meet next week.
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 Lacazette fired a close-rangshot past de Gea.
But their optimism for a comeback was snuffed out in the 63rd when United’s Pogba drove forward into the box and held off Koscielny to pull back a pass for Lingard, who had an easy tap-in.
Pogba was later sent off for a stamp on Hector Bellerin’s leg which means the Frenchman will miss the Manchester derby.
Meanwhile, Eden Hazard and Philippe Coutinho produced stunning individual displays to inspire impressive wins for Chelsea and Liverpool.
Hazard scored twice and tormented Newcastle throughout in Chelsea’s 3-1 come-from-behind win at Stamford Bridge.
Coutinho, another of the league’s star No 10s, scored one goal and set up three others as Liverpool routed Brighton 5-1 to continue their prolific form away from home this season.
Of the genuine contenders for the Champions League positions, Tottenham were the only one to slip up, again, after drawing 1-1 at Watford. Spurs, though, played most of the second half a man down after Davinson Sanchez’s straight red card for elbowing.
In other results, Everton began life under new manager Sam Allardyce with a 2-0 win over Huddersfield. Alan Pardew also got a job this week, at West Bromwich Albion, but his team only drew 0-0 at home to Crystal Palace.
Leicester beat Burnley 1-0 and Stoke came from behind to win 2-1 at home to Swansea, who dropped to last place.