Sunday’s Premier League action saw three of the Premier League’s top five in action. The games produced a win for Arsenal, while Manchester United and Liverpool played out a goalless draw at Old Trafford. Here is what happened in those potentially crucial matches:
Arsenal move into the top-four with a win over the Saints
Arsenal moved into the Premier League’s top four by recording a comfortable 2-0 win over Southampton at the Emirates Stadium.
The visitors actually had the first chance on goal, as Nathan Redmond saw an effort blocked by Bernd Leno after just five minutes. However, just seconds later the Gunners were ahead. Playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s half-volleyed hit French striker Alexandre Lacazette, who flicked the ball past Angus Gunn with his second touch from close-range.
The Saints threatened through Matt Targett, as the full-back’s effort on goal was saved by Leno. Arsenal doubled their lead on 17 minutes, though. Alex Iwobi’s cross deflected to Mkhitaryan, who slid the ball inside the near post.
Lacazette should have made it three from close-range, but somehow blazed over the bar from a few yards out. Arsenal played out the second half in full control of the game. Substitute Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang saw an effort saved by Gunn, while at the other end Leno produced a good stop to keep out Targett once again.
The victory means that Arsenal are a point clear of fifth-place Manchester United and three points clear of sixth-place Chelsea, who have a game in hand. However, the Gunners are still outsiders for fourth spot this season.
Southampton remain in the relegation zone, a point from safety with a vital home game against fellow strugglers Fulham on Wednesday night.
Red Devils and Reds produce a goalless draw
United struggled to get going in the early stages of the encounter. The fact that the Red Devils saw both Juan Mata and Ander Herrera depart due to injury in the first 25 minutes did not help their fluidity either.
The home side had a half chance through Jesse Lingard, who found himself put through on goal by a superb reverse pass by Romelu Lukaku. However, the winger attempted to go around Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, only for the Brazilian to get something on the ball with an outstretched arm.
More injuries occurred as Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino and the aforementioned Lingard both left the pitch before the referee’s half time whistle.
The game continued to be a tight affair, with United remaining disciplined despite their mounting injury problems. In fact, the Red Devils thought they had won the game with just 15 minutes left on the clock.
Chris Smalling fired in a cross, which Liverpool centre-back Joel Matip put into his own goal. However, the referee’s assistant raising his flag to rule Smalling offside spared the Cameroonian’s blushes.
In the last minute of the game, Smalling came within inches of connecting with Lukaku’s cross. However, it was not to be and the game ended goalless.
The draw was enough to move Liverpool back to the top of the table. However, the Merseysiders are just a point ahead of champions Manchester City. United slipped to fifth place in the table but considering the number of injuries during the game it has to be considered a decent point.
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