Arsenal FC moved nine points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 3-0 victory against Sunderland AFC, while Tottenham Hotspur FC boss Thomas Frank faced renewed calls for his sacking after a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United FC on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta’s side went ahead in the 42nd minute at the Emirates Stadium as Martin Zubimendi fired past Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs at his near post.
Viktor Gyokeres sealed Arsenal’s second successive league win with a 66th-minute strike before the Swede netted again in stoppage time.
Photo: PA via AP
The Gunners, who have not won a trophy since the 2020 FA Cup, are chasing their first English title in 22 years.
After three successive runners-up finishes in the Premier League, including blowing significant leads at the top in 2023 and 2024, the north Londoners finally look set to end their title drought.
Arsenal also beat Chelsea FC last week to book a League Cup final date with Manchester City FC at Wembley on March 22.
“We still have to win so many games to achieve what we want. I’m going to have a beautiful dinner tonight and watch a big game with City and Liverpool tomorrow,” Arteta said.
Third-placed Aston Villa FC are also nine points adrift of the Gunners after a 1-1 draw with AFC Bournemouth. Villa took the lead as Morgan Rogers lashed into the top corner in the 22nd minute.
Brazilian teenager Rayan equalized for Bournemouth with his first top-flight goal in the 55th minute.
Manchester United profited from Tottenham captain Cristian Romero’s red card to stretch their perfect start under Michael Carrick to four games, leaving the beleaguered Frank under mounting scrutiny.
With the game still scoreless in the 29th minute, Romero — who has been vocal in his criticism of Tottenham’s owners lately — was dismissed after lunging in to catch Casemiro on the ankle.
Bryan Mbeumo swept United ahead from a clever corner routine in the 38th minute.
Bruno Fernandes’ close-range finish in the 81st minute ended an eight-game winless run against Tottenham for United, who cemented their hold on fourth place in the race to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Another damaging defeat for Frank left Tottenham in 14th place — just six points above the relegation zone — as their winless league run extended to seven matches.
“It is what it is. We need to deal with it,” Frank said. “Cristian clearly goes for the ball. Unfortunately, the way the rules are, it becomes a red. He apologized to his team-mates.”
Interim boss Carrick is making his case for the permanent job after masterminding an impressive turnaround since Ruben Amorim was sacked last month.
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