Arsenal moved to the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 win against AFC Bournemouth on Monday, while Louis van Gaal insisted there was “not any reason” for him to resign as Manchester United manager, despite his team’s 0-0 draw with Chelsea extending their winless run to eight matches.
Gabriel Paulista and Mesut Ozil led Arsenal to the top — for 24 hours at least — with goals in each half, while goalkeeper Petr Cech set a Premier League clean sheet record with his 170th shutout.
The victory was an authoritative response from Arsenal after losing 4-0 to Southampton on Saturday. Arsenal are a point clear of second-place Leicester City and four points above Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. Leicester had the chance to replace Arsenal at the summit by beating City yesterday.
Photo: AFP
“We were focused from the start,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. “It took us a while to get going, but [we] were in control of the game and did very well.”
At Old Trafford, United produced an attacking display against Chelsea to end their four-match losing run, but missed good chances for a first league win since Nov. 21 against Watford.
Juan Mata and Anthony Martial hit the crossbar and the post, while Thibaut Courtois denied Ander Herrera from point blank range and Wayne Rooney missed from 6m late on.
Photo: Reuters
Chelsea also had chances to score, with David De Gea turning John Terry’s header over the bar, before making an impressive double save from Pedro and Cesar Azpilicueta early in the second half.
The draw leaves United five points behind the Champions League positions, but Van Gaal, who said he could resign as manager after defeat at Stoke City two days ago, was encouraged by his team’s display.
“When the players can give such a performance, when there is a lot of pressure, then it is not any reason to resign for me,” Van Gaal told BT Sport. “I shall not do that. It is not a question of staying, it is a question of fulfilling my contract.”
Photo: Reuters
Elsewhere, Tottenham won their third straight league match to provisionally go third with a late 2-1 victory over 10-man Watford, while Stoke beat Everton 4-3 with a last-minute penalty from Marko Arnautovic.
Erik Lamela put Tottenham ahead with a low effort in the 17th minute, before Odion Ighalo leveled for hosts Watford with his 14th goal of the season.
The equalizer ushered in a period of dominance by Watford, but it had Nathan Ake sent off after 63 minutes before substitute Son Heung-min hit Tottenham’s winner in the 89th.
“It was a crazy atmosphere and a really important goal for the team,” Son said. “We are so happy.”
Tottenham will be dislodged from third if City get at least a draw against Leicester.
At Goodison Park, Stoke narrowly edged Everton in an entertaining encounter.
Stoke held a 2-1 halftime lead thanks to a double from Xherdan Shaqiri, but Romelu Lukaku equalized for Everton with his second of the match.
Gerard Deulofeu tapped in to put hosts Everton ahead, but Joselu scored his first Premier League goal for Stoke with a volley to haul his side back on level terms.
Mark Hughes’ side then snatched the win through Arnautovic’s penalty, after he was fouled by John Stones.
“There is real anger at the final decision,” Everton manager Roberto Martinez said. “The penalty is never a penalty. It’s a situation where it cost us the draw.”
Also on Monday, Norwich City beat last-place Aston Villa 2-0, West Bromwich Albion defeated Newcastle United 1-0 and Crystal Palace drew 0-0 against Swansea City.
West Ham United also came from a goal behind to beat Southampton 2-1 and move seventh in the standings, a point behind United.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely