Manchester United’s win brings them to joint third on the Premier League table as rivals Arsenal draw with Newcastle. The race is still on!
Premier League leaders Arsenal had the chance to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to ten points when they faced an inspired Newcastle United side on Tuesday. The Magpies have burst into the top four and their 0-0 draw against the Gunners has shown that they do deserve to be at the top, with the ‘Big Clubs’.
Arsenal (14) and Newcastle (11) have conceded the least goals in the Premier League this season. A hotly contested first half as Mikel Arteta’s side had the most chances- five shots at Newcastle’s Nick Pope in the first seven minutes.
Granit Xhaka had an earlier attempt blocked by a defender before he followed up by hitting the side netting. Captain Martin Odegaard also missed a chance early on as his volley went high over the bar. Bukayo Saka put Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope to the test after beating two defenders and cutting into the box for the shot.
After losing several chances, Newcastle United got a grip on the game and slowed down their opponents. The rest of the first half turned physical and five yellow cards were brandished.
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Each side had glorious chances to take the lead late on but did not convert. Arsenal defender Gabriel’s header missed the target from an Odegaard freekick in the 35th minute, before Newcastle’s Joelinton missed the target following a flick-on at the back post.
In the second half, the game turned scrappy leading to frustration for the Arsenal Manager on the touchline. With 11 minutes remaining, Martinelli headed wide from a freekick as Eddie Nketiah’s late chance was also blocked by Nick Pope.
There was drama late on as Newcastle’s Jacob Murphy appeared to have handled the ball in the box before the penalty appeals were waived. Arteta went livid and got into a confrontation with Newcastle Manager Eddie Howe on the touchline as the two teams had to settle for a draw.
Arsenal will face Tottenham (away) on January 15 as Newcastle host Fulham.
Manchester United Move to Third
Newcastle’s draw against Arsenal gave Manchester United the chance to become joint-third with The Magpies in the Premier League. United are in good form and have now gone five games undefeated.
Prior to kickoff, Manchester United defender and World Cup winner, Lisandro Martinez was welcomed back by the Old Trafford faithful. This was the first time to unveil a winner’s medal at the Theatre of Dreams since May 2013.
United manager Erik Ten Haag’s remarkable United revolution continues, keeping in mind that they lost their opening two games of the season (against Brighton and Brentford).
Halfway through the first half, United got the lead through a well-cushioned shot by Casemiro from a Christian Eriksen freekick. Four minutes into the second half, the Red Devils doubled their lead. Following a dazzling run, Luke Shaw from his left-back position latched on to the end of a Garnacho cutback to score for United.
In-form Marcus Rashford sealed the win in the 86th minute, with a tap-in from a Bruno Fernandes assist. Rashford has now scored in three consecutive games at Old Trafford for the first time.
United’s opponents, Bournemouth, failed to have a single shot on target until the 57th minute and David De Gea was at his best when they finally found a chance on goal. 2 saves in ten seconds, just before the hour. United win 3-0 to move to joint-third.
Manchester United will host Manchester City in the Premier League on January 14, a game with a lot at stake for both teams. United’s win over their city rivals could see them leapfrog them if they lose against Chelsea on Thursday, a testament to Ten Haag’s United revolution.
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