Manchester United on Sunday inflicted Arsenal’s first home defeat of the season in a 3-2 thriller to blow the English Premier League title race open as Aston Villa beat Newcastle United to close within four points of the Gunners.
Villa’s impressive 2-0 victory at Newcastle took Unai Emery’s men level on points with Manchester City, whose own title chances were boosted by events at the Emirates Stadium.
A week on from dominating City in the Manchester derby, Michael Carrick’s dream start as United interim head coach continued thanks to Matheus Cunha’s stunning late winner.
Photo: AP
A Lisandro Martinez own-goal put Arsenal in front, but the Red Devils quickly leveled when Bryan Mbeumo pounced on an error by Martin Zubimendi.
Patrick Dorgu’s brilliant strike put the visitors in front early in the second half.
Not for the first time this season, Arsenal were blunt as an attacking force from open play, but they could rely on their prowess from set-pieces to equalize when Mikel Merino forced in a corner on 84 minutes.
Just moments later Cunha took aim from outside the penalty area and delivered a telling blow to the Gunners’ hopes of a first league title in 22 years.
Victory also propelled United into the top four to boost their chances of reaching the UEFA Champions League next season for the first time in three years.
“To come here and score three goals in the manner we did, going one down, coming back, then the setback, and still keeping going,” Carrick said. “It was a huge moment for us.”
Villa kept their outside shot at a first league title since 1980-1981 alive with their first victory at St James’ Park in 21 years.
Emiliano Buendia’s brilliant strike from outside the penalty area opened the scoring before Ollie Watkins secured victory when the England international headed in Lucas Digne’s cross two minutes from time.
Newcastle slip to ninth, but are still only four points outside the top five, which would likely be enough for a place in the Champions League.
Chelsea piled more pain on Crystal Palace with a 3-1 win at Selhurst Park.
Oliver Glasner promised to do his best to turn around a miserable run for the Eagles despite announcing he would leave the club at the end of the season.
Palace are now winless in 11 games and never recovered after a wayward back-pass from Jaydee Canvot freed Estevao to sprint clear and fire in Chelsea’s opener on 34 minutes.
The Brazilian then set up compatriot Joao Pedro to gallop in behind the Palace defense and Enzo Fernandez’s penalty rounded off a fourth win in five games for Liam Rosenior.
Nottingham Forest gave their survival chances a huge boost by inflicting just a second home defeat of the season on Brentford.
Forest won 2-0 in west London thanks to goals from Igor Jesus and Taiwo Awoniyi.
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