LINGARD BRACE STUNS WENGER
United end Arsenal’s unbeaten run at home, despite Pogba’s red card
MANCHESTER UNITED won a Saturday night thriller with Jesse Lingard’s first Premier League brace and a world- class display from goalkeeper David de Gea.
But Jose Mourinho’s joy will be dampened by a late red card for Paul Pogba, who is now banned for three games — including next Sunday’s Manchester derby.
Catastrophic errors from Arsenal defenders Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi allowed Antonio Valencia and Lingard to put United 2-0 up inside 12 minutes – just days after Koscielny had bragged about Arsenal’s defensive record.
Alexandre Lacazette gave Arsenal hope after 49 minutes, before De Ge a p u l l e d off a string of outstanding stops — including a double save from Lacazette and Alexis Sanchez. Lingard t hen sealed United’s win with a third to end Arsenal’s 100 per cent home record this season.
Wenger’s side had kept clean sheets in their previous three games, prompting Koscielny to post a picture of their defenders’ shirts with the message “STOP” underneath.
That bit of bravado looked foolish after f our minutes when t he Frenchman attempted a 30-yard square pass to Sead Kolasinac deep inside his own half, which was read and intercepted by Valencia.
The wing- back broke forward with purpose, shifted the ball to Pogba on his right, then smacked the return pass under Petr Cech from 12 yards. It was his second goal of the season.
If Arsenal were shell-shocked by that, they were utterly bereft when they gifted United a second goal after 12 minutes.
Granit Xhaka’s pass to Mustafi about 15 yards outside his penalty area was a bit casual but, instead of hoofing a clearance to get out of trouble, the German tried to turn and dribble his way out of trouble. Lingard then nipped in to tackle and, once he laid the ball off to Romelu Lukaku, he set off towards the penalty area.
Lukaku pl a yed a pas s i nt o Anthony Martial and the Frenchman delivered the cutest of backheels into Lingard’s path for a splendid second goal.
Arsenal’s fans, not renowned for being the most patient, let their feelings be known. And there was little sympathy for Mustafi, who was i mmediately substituted, claiming he had been hurt by the challenge from Lingard, though shame was just as likely.
To be fair to Arsenal, they do not lack courage going forward and they put the United goal under almighty pressure as they tried to give themselves a lifeline.
Lacazette wriggled his way into the six-yard box before his final shot bounced down off De Gea’s back and spun on to the crossbar.
De Gea, however, has probably the fastest reflexes of any goalkeeper in the Premier League and he showed them off with an incredible stop when Lukaku got into bother trying to defend and the ball inadvertently flew off his right boot towards his own goal.
De Gea also made a terrific flying save from Hector Bellerin, while Nemanja Matic typified United’s resilience with a block from Aaron Ramsey that had the Arsenal player roaring in frustration.
Arsenal needed a quick start in the second half and they got it with a 49th-minute goal of wonderful invention. Sanchez scooped a pass over Arsenal’s back l i ne f or Ramsey, who had run in behind. The Welshman controlled with his back to goal, then played a pass back to Lacazette, who fired in.
Lacazette was in advance of any United defender but, because the assist f r o m R a ms e y wa s a backwards pass, it was legal.
United could have extended their lead back to two goals shortly after when Lingard hit the post. And at the other end, De Gea was in simply mesmerising form.
A save from Alex Iwobi was impressive enough, the double-stop to keep out Lacazette and Sanchez undeniably world class. His ability to get down to his right to reach Lacazette’s low shot was incredible and, as Sanchez struck the rebound from four yards, the Spaniard stuck out his right foot to block.
The importance of those saves became evident when United made it 3- 1 after 63 minutes. Lukaku delivered a great touch for Lingard to run on to and, as he then released Pogba, the £89 million man got to the byline, swatting aside Koscielny and crossing for Lingard to tap in.
United seemed to have calmed the storm when Pogba was sent off 15 minutes from the end. He was running at full pelt when Bellerin bent down to challenge and, instead of vaulting over his leg, Pogba trod down on the back of his calf.
Referee Andre Marriner showed him a straight red card and, as Pogba sarcastically applauded the decision, he could now be set for further punishment.