The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
First domestic defeat for Solskjaer’s United
PREMIER LEAGUE: Gunners leapfrog Red Devils into top four with 2-0 win at Emirates Stadium
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tasted domestic defeat for the first time as Manchester United caretaker manager as his side were brought back down to earth after their Champions League heroics.
United produced one of the great European comebacks to overcome Paris St Germain in the French capital in midweek but their return to Premier League action saw them lose 2-0 at Arsenal.
The Gunners leapfrogged United back into the top four courtesy of Granit Xhaka’s strike and Pierre-emerick Aubameyang’s penalty, but the win was soured by a fan who ran on to the pitch and appeared to shove Chris Smalling after the spot-kick.
Solskjaer had won 13 and drawn two of his previous 15 league and cup fixtures since succeeding the sacked Jose Mourinho in mid-december but his side fell behind at the Emirates Stadium in the 12th minute.
Xhaka’s strike from distance swerved through the air to wrong-foot United goalkeeper David De Gea, who motioned to his team-mates that he had been deceived by the movement in the swirling wind in north London.
Both teams went close thereafter, with Fred hitting a post, but the United midfielder clumsily barged over Alexandre Lacazette in the penalty area.
That allowed Aubameyang to coolly slot home from 12 yards in the 69th minute as he atoned for his last-gasp penalty miss against Tottenham last weekend.
Meanwhile, Liverpool moved back to within one point of league leaders Manchester City but were forced to come from behind to see off struggling Burnley 4-2.
The Clarets, just two points above the drop zone, had lost their last two matches but Ashley Westwood’s sixthminute effort stunned Anfield.
Roberto Firmino levelled in the 19th minute before Sadio Mane struck just before the half hour as the Reds assumed control.
Firmino bagged his second in the 67th minute to give Liverpool breathing room and though Johann Berg Gudmundsson seemed to set up a nervy finale when he scored in added time, Mane restored the two-goal cushion.
Eden Hazard scored in the second minute of stoppage time to rescue a 1-1 draw for Chelsea against Wolves at Stamford Bridge.
Raul Jimenez’s 56th-minute effort was his third goal in his last four games and seemed set to increase the pressure on Blues manager Maurizio Sarri.
But Hazard ensured Chelsea avoided defeat and the draw left them three points off the top four.