Man U wins 90 to match own EPL record
FOOTBALL
LONDON: Manchester United thrashed nineman Southampton 90 yesterday to match its own record for the biggest margin of victory in English Premier League history.
The home side led 40 at the break through Aaron WanBissaka, Marcus Rashford, a Jan Bednarek own goal and Edinson Cavani.
Substitute Anthony Martial, with two goals, Scott McTominay, a Bruno Fernandes penalty and a late Dan James goal sealed the emphatic romp at Old Trafford.
The Saints had 19yearold midfielder Alexandre Jankewitz sent off after 82 seconds and were trailing 60 when Jan Bednarek received his red card, for a foul in the penalty area in the 86th.
‘‘When a game starts like it does it was always going to be about if you can get the first goal,’’ United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said.
‘‘It was about keeping the tempo high and getting the first goal and going on from there.
‘‘We have been waiting for our strikers to show their magic, and tonight was a night they could go and enjoy.’’
United moved level on 44 points with leader Manchester City, which has two games in hand and a superior goal difference. Champion Liverpool is third on 40 points.
It is the second time the Old Trafford giant has netted nine times in the top flight — and the second time the southcoast team has been on the receiving end.
United beat Ipswich 90 in 1995 while yesterday’s result came 15 months after Southampton lost by the same scoreline at home to Leicester City.
In an actionpacked evening in the Premier League, Arsenal had David Luiz and goalkeeper Bernd Leno sent off as it squandered a lead to be beaten 21 at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Nicolas Pepe put Arsenal in front but Luiz was sent off after fouling Willian Jose in the box, with Ruben Neves levelling from the spot.
Joao Moutinho slammed in a 30m goal to give Wolves the lead before Leno was sent off for handling outside the penalty area as the home side held on to win for the first time in nine matches.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said the Luiz sendingoff turned the match, as his side’s sevenmatch unbeaten run came to an end.
‘‘The team was really on top of the game. We should have been three or fournil up and in that action the game changed completely,’’ he said.
‘‘I’ve seen it 10 times in different angles and I cannot tell you where the contact is.’’
Sheffield United improved its slim hopes of survival with a 21 win over fellow struggler West Bromwich Albion.
Matthew Phillips put West Brom ahead but goals from Jayden Bogle and Billy Sharp won it for the home team, which is now just one point behind secondbottom West Brom, albeit still 10 points from safety.
Crystal Palace pulled further away from trouble as it recorded a comeback 21 win at Newcastle United, defender Gary Cahill grabbing the decisive goal. — DPA