West Ham hammered
EPL: ARSENAL HIT SIX AS MAN UNITED DENT VILLA’S TOP-FOUR ASPIRATIONS
Declan Rice scored on his return to West Ham as Arsenal smashed David Moyes’ men 6-0 in a statement of intent in the Premier League title race yesterday as Manchester United beat Aston Villa to put a dent in their top-four hopes.
Bukayo Saka struck twice, while Leandro Trossard and centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes were also on target in a ruthless display from Mikel Arteta’s men as they set a new club record for a Premier League away win.
Victory takes the Gunners back to within two points of Premier League leaders Liverpool and behind Manchester City only on goals scored.
“We were 4-0 up in the first half and we could have scored more,” said Saka.
“We smelled blood today and went for the kill.”
The wheels of Arsenal’s challenge for a first league title in 20 years appeared to be coming off when they lost at home to the Hammers amid a run of one win in seven games either side of the new year.
However, they have bounced back emphatically since a twoweek winter break to lay down the gauntlet to perennial title challengers City and Liverpool at the top of the table.
“I felt that the team had the right desire, straight after Liverpool, because it was something still in their tummy about what happened with West Ham at the Emirates and we wanted to put it right,” said Arteta.
“If you want to be at the top, we’re going to have to be really consistent and play at that level, and we certainly did it today.”
West Ham had beaten the Gunners twice this season, also dumping them out of the League Cup in November.
But they were outclassed to up the scrutiny on Moyes, who is out of contract at the end of the season.
Scott McTominay kept alive Manchester United’s hopes of finishing in the Premier League’s top four as the midfielder’s late goal clinched a vital 2-1 win over Villa.
Erik ten Hag’s side desperately needed a victory at Villa Park to close the gap in the race to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
United took an early lead through in-form Rasmus Hojlund before Douglas Luiz levelled in the second half.
That set the stage for United’s second late winner against Villa this term as McTominay came off the bench to head home with just four minutes left.
United remain in sixth place after their fourth successive victory in all competitions, but they are now just five points behind fifth-placed Villa and six adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham.
“It is a massive win for us. We’ve got closer and that was the aim for today.
“The way we did it, I liked it,” Ten Hag said.
“At 1-1 we had to fight back and we are really happy about that. It was so open, like a tennis match. It could go two ways, but we found the mentality and character to win.
“Scott is great. He is an example for many players these days. He is always ready to come on and make a difference.”