EPL: Manchester United stuns Arsenal in thriller
United’s 3-1 victory at Emirates Stadium took it to within five points of the Premier League summit.
Published : Dec 03, 2017 01:26 IST
Manchester United blitzed Arsenal with two quick-fire goals in a breathless encounter to close the gap on Manchester City on Saturday.
With Pep Guardiola's Premier League pacesetter not in action until Sunday, United’s 3-1 victory took it to within five points of the Premier League summit following emphatic wins for Chelsea and Liverpool earlier in the day.
Jose Mourinho took his team to the Emirates with questions over how it would approach the fixture after a poor recent away record and a shortage of goals against fellow members of the "Big Six."
But United quashed all thoughts of shutting up shop and was immediately on the front foot, taking the lead through captain Antonio Valencia in the fourth minute and doubling its lead just minutes later through in-form Jesse Lingard.
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In a thrilling end-to-end contest United looked irresistible on the break but Arsenal, with Alexandre Lacazette a surprise inclusion after injury fears, enjoyed more than 70 percent of possession in the first half, hitting 15 shots as David De Gea's goal led a charmed life.
Pogba, Lingard silence crowd
Arsenal sent the decibel level soaring after a lightning-quick start to the second half as Lacazette lashed home Aaron Ramsey's pass to pull a goal back, and the home side came forward in waves, forcing De Gea to pull off an astounding double save to maintain United's lead.
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But just as the home side threatened to overwhelm United, Paul Pogba burst into the box and squared for Lingard to net his second and silence the crowd. As the match lost some of its high-octane momentum, referee Andre Marriner sent off Pogba for a studs-up tackle on Hector Bellerin to change the balance of the contest, but Arsenal could not take advantage.