Utd beat Arsenal, EPL title race heats up

Manchester United have beaten Arsenal 1-0 in the English Premier League, while top-four contenders Manchester City and Tottenham were surprise losers.

Manchester United's Robin van Persie celebrates after scoring.

Manchester United have beaten Arsenal 1-0 to move within five points of the Premier League leaders. (AAP)

Manchester United roared back into the English Premier League title picture on Sunday by beating leaders Arsenal 1-0, completing a perfect day for the improving reigning champions after surprise defeats for top-four contenders Manchester City and Tottenham.

Robin van Persie's 27th-minute header against his former club settled a cagey match at Old Trafford and lifted United to fifth place, with Arsenal's second defeat of the campaign trimming their lead over second-place Liverpool to two points.

With City losing 1-0 at struggling Sunderland and Spurs beaten at home by Newcastle by the same scoreline, just six points separate Arsenal and eighth-place City after 11 matches in what is proving to be a tight, exciting battle for the title.

"What we have learned today is that not only Man United can beat Arsenal but that everybody can beat everybody in this Premier League," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said.

City's poor away form continued as Phil Bardsley grabbed the winner in the 21st minute for Sunderland, which started the day level on points with bottom-place Crystal Palace.

City have taken only four points from a possible 18 on their travels.

"I am concerned because we are losing too many points away and, of course, that's very difficult if you don't win away to try to fight for the Premier League," City manager Manuel Pellegrini said.

More doubts were raised about Tottenham's top-four credentials after in-form striker Loic Remy struck a 13th-minute winner at White Hart Lane, with Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul preserving the victory with a string of brilliant saves.

"I think Tim Krul was the key to the game," Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas said.

"He made the difference."

Spurs followed medical advice and chose not to play goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who is still recovering from being knocked unconscious during a match against Everton last weekend.

In Sunday's other match, Charlie Adam converted a penalty in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time to salvage Stoke a 3-3 draw at Swansea.

After beating Liverpool 2-0 last weekend, Arsenal were looking to pass another examination of their title credentials but failed to shake off an inferiority complex the Gunners seem to have when they arrive at Old Trafford.

Wenger said his side was "nervous" in the first half, during which Van Persie answered the relentless taunts of visiting fans by heading Wayne Rooney's corner into the top corner.

Since leaving north London for Manchester in August last year, Van Persie has scored in all three games against Arsenal.

In a game of few clear-cut chances, Arsenal established control in the second half as United reorganised after losing defender Nemanja Vidic to a head injury sustained just before the break.

Vidic was later taken to hospital for a scan.

It was the most important win for Moyes since taking over from Alex Ferguson.

"I don't think it puts out a statement, I think people have known for years how good Manchester United have been," Moyes said.

"My job and the team's job is to try to show we can do that again.

"We know we are going to get a few bloody noses along the way. And I think the Premier League has shown it's not just Manchester United getting them, there are a few others as well."


Share

4 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world