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Seeing double as Oldham Athletic win at Crewe Alexandra

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CREWE ALEXANDRA 0, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2

Oldham Athletic proved lightning can strike twice in their Sky Bet League two victory at Crewe Alexandra.

It was the same scoreline and the same scorers – captain Peter Clarke and Chris O’Grady – in the same sequence from the Emirates FA Cup, second-round victory at Maidstone United.

And manager Frankie Bunn fielded exactly the same starting line-up as Latics extended their unbeaten run to seven league and cup games and moved within five points of the play-off places.

It is this continuity which is proving important as Bunn continues to make minimal changes, though his squad is still ravaged through injury.

Crewe had the first scoring chance when Latics gave the ball away in midfield as Callum Ainley forced a good save from goalkeeper Daniel Iversen with his feet.

Latics’ first effort came through Mohamed Maouche as he tested Ben Garratt in the Crewe goal with a free kick.

It was a wet and windy afternoon in Cheshire with the game really struggling to get into any flow until Clarke stepped up to give Oldham the lead.

Clarke picked up the ball on the halfway line as he drove it forward and unleashed an effort from more than 30 yards out into the top corner.

It’s probably no exaggeration that it’s more than likely the best goal he’s scored in his career and certainly not what you expect from a central defender.

However, Latics almost squandered that lead as Shaun Miller ran in behind the defence, but once again Iversen saved well.

Crewe were starting to get a foothold in the game as they workeda move down the left before Charlie Kirk forced another great stop from Iversen.

Bunn’s side doubled its lead in the 40th minute whenO’Grady picked the ball up on the edge of the box and he hit a curling left-footed effort on the turn into the bottom corner.

Gevaro Nepomuceno then bent an effort over the bar as Latics went into half time in total control.

Latics began the second half as they ended the first as Christopher Missilou attacked a corner, but once again Garratt saved.

Sam Surridge headed over from another corner before he was denied by Garratt with an effort from the right-hand side of the penalty area.

Crewe made a triple substitution and it was one of those substitutes, Owen Dale who forced another brilliant stop from Iversen as the ball broke to him in Latics’ box.

Latics were comfortably defending the lead and they could have had a third when Johan Branger-Engone played Surridge in, but once again Garratt denied the striker.

Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Iversen, Dummigan,Clarke, Edmundson, Hunt; Lang, Maouche, Missilou (Lyden 90), Nepomuceno (Branger-Engone 90); Surridge, O’Grady. Subs (not used): Coke, Graham, Hamer, Norman, McFarlane.

Attendance 4,168 (1,027 visitors).

Raheem Sterling allegedly racially abused as Manchester City suffer first defeat of the season at Chelsea

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CHELSEA 2, MANCHESTER CITY 0

Manchester City lost their 22 game unbeaten record after a 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge to Chelsea who had lost their last two Premier League matches.

Goals by N’Golo Kante and man of the match David Luiz sealed victory for the Londoners as Manchester City were punished for their first half profligacy.

Talk of matching Arsene Wenger’s Invincible Arsenal side can be put away for another season.

City boss Pep Guardiola praised his players in defeat, saying that they had played ‘outstanding’ in the first half, adding:

“Apart from ten minutes in the second half, we were there until the end.

“The guys today were incredible. We win together, and we lose together.”

Neither team started with a recognised striker, with Chelsea utilising Eden Hazard up front while Raheem Sterling was City’s front man as Gabriel Jesus started on the bench with Sergio Aguero not risked due to a muscular problem while Kevin De Bruyne was not ready to play after an injury layoff.

Guardiola also brought back Aymeric Laporte into the fold for Vincent Kompany as the other change from the Watford game.

A flawless defensive performance by Chelsea, led by Luiz, blocked and frustrated City who had efforts by Sterling, Leroy Sane, and David Silva blocked.

And City were punished for not taking the lead when chances presented themselves after Chelsea took the lead just before the break.

Hazard peeled off to the left after a Chelsea attack wasn’t cleared and cut the ball back to Kante who had been deployed as a more attacking player this season.

The defensive midfielder capitalised on hesitation by City’s defence – with Sane and Fabian Delph too slow to react as he arrived late – and put a rising shot into the roof of the net on their first attack of note.

City Willian had a free kick and shot saved early in the second half as City wobbled and their pressing game failed.

Jesus and Ilkay Gundogan were brought on for the misfiring Sane and David Silva but Chelsea won a disputed corner after Ross Barkley’s shot was adjudged to have brushed the studs of Riyad Mahrez.

Despite Guardiola’s protestations that it wasn’t a corner, Chelsea scored their second of the game when Luiz got in front of Gundogan to flick a corner past Ederson.

Jesus had City’s best chance of the half tipped away by Kepa Arrizabalaga and the defeat meant that City had now slipped to second after Liverpool continued their unbeaten run with victory at Bournemouth – the title race is on again.

  • Chelsea’s victory was marred by video footage of home supporters appearing to racially abuse Raheem Sterling circulating online after the game.

Manchester United’s green shoots of recovery with big win against Fulham

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MAN UNITED 4, FULHAM 1

Manchester United posted their biggest Premier League victory for 13 months against newly-promoted Fulham, further evidence of recent green shoots of recovery.

After the spirited showing in the 2-2 draw in midweek against Arsenal, also at Old Trafford, United were far too strong for the bottom-of-the-table Cottagers.

There has been an energy in the last two games that was conspicuous by its absence earlier in the campaign.

Goals from Ashley Young, Juan Mata, Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford earned the points that lifted the Reds from eighth to sixth place.

It was the first time United had scored four goals in a game since the FA cup tie against Yeovil last season.

Indeed, United carved out 20 goal attempts with 11 on target, evidence that they have found the cutting edge that eluded them in earlier games.

Reds’ manager Jose Mourinho was pleased with his side’s showing, saying:  “The first half was good at every level.

“It was a good result and there were good individual performances and for Rashford and Lukaku, who have had no goals for some time, it was good for them.”

Mourinho praised new Fulham manager Cluadio Ranieri for changing the game at half time to nullify them.

He added fatigue also told, especially with hard working midfield pair Nemanja Matic and Ander Herrera.

“It was only natural the intensity was down as you cannot run like they did for two games coming so quickly together,” he said.

United made four changes from the side that drew 2-2 against Arsenal in a hugely entertaining game to make it a remarkable 50 for the season in Premier League games.

Eric Bailly and Anthony Martial were enforced through injury while Marcos Rojo was on the bench and Matteo Darmian not included in the matchday 18.

There were call ups for Phil Jones and Young at the back, Juan Mata in the middle and Romelu Lukaku up front.

There was still no place in the starting line up for Paul Pogba who was again on the bench.

Luke Shaw was injured in the pre-match warm up so his place on the bench went to Andrea Pereira.

After an uneventful opening, United took a 13th minute lead with their first chance of the game.

Overlapping left-back Young cut in from the left past Denis Odoi and fired high into the far top corner of the net, a fabulous individual goal, his first of the season and first at Old Trafford since May 2016.

United doubled their advantage in the 28th minute through Mata’s fourth goal of the season.

Lukaku and Rashford linked on the left and the latter squared a pass to Mata as the Spaniard swept home a shot from 18 yards low to the left of keeper Sergio Rico.

The lively Rashford could have made it 3-0 when his 35-yard piledriver free kick was well kept out by Rico.

A third goal soon arrived following another fabulous move.

Jesse Lingard split open the Fulham defence with a sumptuous pass to release Mata on the left and his low cross was easily converted by Lukaku, his sixth of the season. It was Mata’s 50th assist in the Premier League.

And Lukaku had a chance to add a fourth goal shortly before the break, but Rico save well low to his left.

United began the second half on the front foot as Rashford and Lukaku twice went close to increasing the lead further.

Mourinho made their first change just short of the hour when Chris Smalling made way for Rojo.

United ought to have had a fourth goal after a poor clearance from Rica to Lukaku who released Mata who in turn set up Herrera who shot narrowly wide.

Fulham got on to the scoresheet midway through the second period after Herrera conceded a penalty for a trip on half-time substitute Aboubakar Kamara who slotted home the spot kick.

If Fulham thought a comeback was on the cards, it was quickly cut short as they were reduced to 10 men one minute later when Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa was sent off for a foul on Rashford, his second yellow card.

United made a second change with 17 minutes left when Jesse Lingard was replaced by Fred.

The Reds almost restored a three-goal lead when Rashford forced a diving save from Rico who moments later denied Lukaku.

But it was soon 4-1 as Rashford scored a superb solo effort,cutting in from the left before shooting low inside Rico’s near post, only his third goal of the season.

It was Rashford’s last action as he was immediately replaced by Scott McTominay as the game petered out in the latter stages.

Manchester United rediscover ‘happiness’ after twice battling from behind to hold in-form Arsenal

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MAN UNITED 2, ARSENAL 2

Manchester United produced the desire that Jose Mourinho had questioned as they twice came from behind to gain a spirited point against Arsenal at Old Trafford.

A much-improved performance, though, failed to produce victory as the Reds remained eighth in the table and eight points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea as they are now without a win in four Premier League games.

But it was a display that lifted spirits as United extended their unbeaten record to 12 home Premier League games since 2006 against the Gunners who stretched their unbeaten run to 20 games in all competitions.

In what was an enthralling and error-strewn game, United could conceivably have scored all four goals as Arsenal’s strikes could well go down as David De Gea and Marcos Rojo own goals.

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United’s manager could not fault his side’s display, explaining: “I am frustrated by the result, frustrated by our mistakes and more quality was needed, but I am happy with the spirit.

“We scored all four goals in a 2-2 draw, but shot ourselves through missed chances and defensive mistakes, but it was a fantastic performance, but we are punished every time we make a mistake.

“I am not happy with the result, but we needed happiness on the pitch.

“We played a team at the top of their moment and everything is going well for them.

“They are a team on a high against a team with so many problems and which shoots ourselves.”

Mourinho was delighted with his patched-up defence explaining he had “a lot of people in very difficult circumstances”.

He was referring to Eric Bailly and Rojo whose campaigns have been blighted by injury while Diogo Dalot and Matteo Darmian have seen little action.

And he believed in summer signing Dalot he has a player who can be United’s right back for the next 10 years.

Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku, Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata, nearly £250mm of signings, found themselves on the bench as Mourinho made seven changes from the side that started at Southampton on Saturday.

David De Gea, Nemanja Matic, Ander Herrera and Marcus Rashford were the only survivors.

There was a completely new back five of Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo, Diogo Dalot and Matteo Darmian.

Arsenal made only one change from Sunday’s derby win against Tottenham as Aaron Ramsey was preferred to Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

It was strange as this was the first time in 82 games since 1986 that neither Sir Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger were in charge of the two clubs.

United’s new-look side made a bright start with Rashford and Anthony Martial both shooting straight at keeper Bernd Leno as Gunners’ fans chanted they wanted Mourinho to stay.

But it was largely a case of the teams cancelling out one another as they both played 3-4-3 systems.

Arsenal made the breakthrough in the 26th minute after an uncharacteristic error from De Gea who allowed Mustafi’s downward header from Lucas Torreira’s corner to slip through his hands.

Herrera cleared the ball, but goalline technology ruled it crossed the line.

United were level five minutes later through Martial who was fouled 25 yards from goal.

Rojo’s excellent free kick, directed over the defensive wall, was well pushed out by Leno.

Herrera, however, was quick as a flash on to the loose ball that he cut back for Martial to fire home.

Arsenal were forced into a defensive reshuffle when Stalybridge’s Rob Holding was taken over on a stretcher with what looked a painful knee injury. He was replaced by Stephan Lichtsteiner.

The Gunners were forced to make a second change at the restart as Ramsey, who picked up a knock late in the opening period was replaced by Mkhitaryan.

Rojo forced Leno to turn his 30-yard drive over the crossbar as United looked to go ahead for the first time.

United’s first change just after the hour was enforced as Martial limped off to be replaced by Lukaku.

Arsenal’s third and final changes mid-half saw the introduction of £52m substitute Alexandre Lacazette.

And Lacazette was instrumental in Arsenal regaining the lead in the 68th minute as he seized on a poor pass from Rojo before taking a return pass from Mkhitaryan and firing past De Gea, though replays suggested it may have been Rojo who turned the ball past De Gea who was again left floundering.

United made it 2-2 straight from the restart in three passes as Darmian pumped a long ball upfield over Lukaku as Lingard ran through to score.

Arsenal twice came close to regaining the lead when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was twice denied by super saves from De Gea.

United made their last two changes when Rojo and Lingard made way for Pogba and Fellaini.

Arsenal were denied a last-minute winner when United old-boy Mkhitaryan had a goal ruled out for offside.

De Gea made a fine stop to keep out Torreira’s effort but Mkhitaryan had strayed offside as he found the net from what looked an impossible angle.

Manchester United 2, Arsenal 2 – Player Ratings

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MANCHESTER UNITED 2, ARSENAL 2

Manchester United fell further behind in the race for fourth place after coming from behind twice to secure a 2-2 draw against Arsenal at Old Trafford.

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Three draws and a defeat in their last 4 Premier League games have left the Reds 8 points behind Chelsea in fourth place after they fell to a surprising defeat at Wolves tonight. 

Two quick equalisers by Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard cancelled out goals by Shkodran Mustafi and Alexandre Lacazette in each half.

The Gunners lost Rob Holding to a serious knee injury and also Aaron Ramsey by half time but gave the Reds a fright with their attacking play only to be quickly pegged back by United each time.

Former United midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan thought he had won it for Arsenal in the 90th minute but was ruled offside after David De Gea had made another great save to keep the Reds in the game.

There was a tense finale to this match which was brought to life in the 26th minute when Arsenal took the lead and didn’t give up until the end with both managers barking out orders from the sidelines.

And what a finale – with few people choosing to try and beat the notorious Old Trafford traffic – most spectators stayed back to watch the drama unfold until the very end.

PLAYER RATINGS – Manchester United 2, Arsenal 2

David De Gea: 5. At fault for Mustafi’s header which caught him by surprise and crossed the line and slipped for Alexander Lacazette’s goal after Rojo’s attempt to rescue the matter made it worse. Two massive saves from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and a game saver from Torreira in the 90th minute after United equalised kept the Gunners from going ahead again.

Eric Bailly: 6. Tricky time up against Alex Iwobi.

Chris Smalling: 6. Stepped up to lead the defence with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang a constant danger.

Marcos Rojo: 5. Back after a long lay off but perhaps better going forward – his free kick led to United’s goal but then he gave the ball away for Arsenal’s second goal and might have been sent off trying to recover it as Alexandre Lacazette scored. Hauled off for Marouane Fellaini.

Diogo Dalot: 7. Rare run out for the youngster, mixed quality early on but grew into the game.

Nemanja Matic: 6. More at home in midfield. Booked early on.

Ander Herrera: 7. Laid on United’s equaliser by chasing down Leno’s parried save to put the ball back in for Anthony Martial to score. 

Matteo Darmian: 6. Out of position on the left but worked it well.

Jesse Lingard: 7. Occupying a deeper role but coming up against Torreira. Scored United’s second equaliser after pushing up.

Anthony Martial: 7. Early shot to test Bernd Leno, scored the qualiser with a predatory finish after Marcos Rojo’s free kick was saved but then recycled back into the box by Ander Herrera. Limped off.

Marcus Rashford: 7. Lively start, testing Arsenal defenders with his pace. Alost took

Romelu Lukaku (for Anthony Martial 63): 6. Gave United a greater aerial threat but could not convert that into goals.

Marouane Fellaini (for Marcos Rojo 72): 6. Shored up midfield.

Paul Pogba (for Jesse Lingard 75): 6. Was roared at by Mourinho – didn’t do much.

GOALS – Manchester United 2, Arsenal 2

Man Utd 0, Arsenal 1: 26. Lucas Torreira’s corner was headed into the ground by Shkodran Mustafi and bounced up, slipping out of David De Gea’s grasp, over his head and into the goal where Ander Herrera was too slow to clear off the line before goal line technology decreed the ball had already gone over the line.

Man Utd 1, Arsenal 1: 31. Anthony Martial stabbed in Ander Herrera’s cut back from 5 yards after the ball was palmed away by Bernd Leno following Marcos Rojo’s free kick. 

Man Utd 1, Arsenal 2: 68. Alexandre Lacazette benefited from a mistake by Marcus Rojo, exchanged passes with Henrikh Mkhitarian before slotting past David De Gea after Rojo tried to rectify his mistake with a dangerous looking challenge.

Man Utd 2, Arsenal 2: 69. Jesse Lingard restores parity again from the kick off after a massive punt upfield from the kick off which wasn’t dealt with by the Gunners defence – Sead Kolasinac got mixed up with Bernd Leno allowing Lingard to nip in and equalise 74 seconds after United conceded.

MATCH STATS – Manchester United 2, Arsenal 2

Man Utd: De Gea, Bailly, Smalling, Rojo (Fellaini 72), Dalot, Matic, Herrera, Darmian, Lingard (Pogba 75), Martial (Lukaku 63), Rashford 

Man Utd Subs not used: Romero, Mata, Valencia, McTominay

Booked: Rojo 38, Lingard 40, Matic 42

Goals: Martial 31, Lingard 69

Arsenal: Leno, Sokratis, Mustafi, Holding (Lichtsteiner 36), Bellerin, Torreira, Guendouzi, Kolasinac, Ramsey (Mkhitaryan 46), Iwobi (Lacazette 64), Aubameyang

Arsenal Subs not used: Cech, Elneny, Maitland-Niles, Nketiah

Booked: Mustafi 37, Bellerin 41, Torreira 86

Goals: Mustafi 26, Lacazette 68

Attendance: 74,507