Man Utd hit Southampton for nine, Arsenal lose at Wolves
Manchester United equalled the biggest win in Premier League history as they crushed nine-man Southampton 9-0, while Arsenal had two players sent off in their defeat at Wolves on Tuesday.
Rampant United scored four times in the first half after Southampton’s teenage midfielder Alexandre Jankewitz was dismissed in the second minute at Old Trafford.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side hit five more after the break, tying them with Leicester’s 9-0 win at Southampton in 2019 and United’s own 9-0 victory against Ipswich in 1995.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s goal opened the floodgates and Marcus Rashford bagged United’s second.
Jan Bednarek’s own goal made it three for the hosts before Edinson Cavani added the fourth.
The goals kept coming as Anthony Martial and Scott McTominay netted before Bruno Fernandes’ penalty after Bednarek was sent off.
Martial and Daniel James scored in stoppage-time to complete an incredible display by United.
“We’ve been waiting for them to show the magic and it was a night for them to go and enjoy it. We’ve not had many times where we could just enjoy the second half,” Solskjaer said.
“You get lots of confidence from a performance like this, scoring goals is always good for a team.”
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl added: “It was a stupid foul from the young lad (Jankewitz) and kills everything. What can I say? It’s horrible.”
After the frustration of their shock defeat against Sheffield United and dour draw at Arsenal, the demolition job was a muchneeded boost to their title bid.
United’s first victory in three league games means they are behind leaders Manchester City only on goal difference.
Pep Guardiola’s team have two games in hand, including one at Burnley on Wednesday.
Jankewitz, making his first Premier League start, saw red after just 82 seconds for an ugly challenge that left stud marks on McTominay’s thigh.
United took advantage of their numerical superiority in the 18th minute when Luke Shaw swung a cross to far post and WanBissaka bundled his shot past Alex McCarthy from close range.
Rashford doubled United’s lead seven minutes later with a composed finish from Mason Greenwood’s cross.