Premier League
Arsenal’s Sanchez Hits 20 Goals
Arsenal’s top four finishing in the English Premier League got a boost Wednesday night with a 2-0 away win at Southampton. But the hero of the night was Alexis Sanchez whose 60th minute goal set the stage for the sensational win.
He has reached 20 league goals in a season for the first time as Arsenal’s 2-0 win narrows the gap to the Premier League’s top four.
A home win over Jose Mourinho’s depleted Manchester United on Sunday meant Arsenal could cut the gap to fourth-placed Manchester City to three points with victory at St Mary’s Stadium, but they never looked likely in a second-rate first half.
Sanchez and Mesut Ozil had been guilty for letting the air out of numerous attacks for Arsene Wenger’s side, but the duo combined sublimely to puncture the Saints’ back line on the hour.
Making his 100th Premier League appearance, Sanchez celebrated his fine strike by tapping the badge on his chest in front of the travelling fans as his, and Ozil’s, futures remain shrouded in doubt as their contracts wind down.
Sanchez was again involved as Olivier Giroud emerged from the bench to make the points safe and take Arsenal fifth in the table.
Arsenal face games against Stoke City, relegated Sunderland and Everton in their bid to sneak Champions League qualification for the 20th season in succession, and interventions as divine as Sanchez’s in this game will be crucial.
Premier League
Five-Star Arsenal hammer Chelsea to move three points clear at the top
Ruthless Arsenal threw down the gauntlet in the Premier League title race with a 5-0 thrashing of London rivals Chelsea to roar three points clear at the top of the table on Tuesday.
Any remaining doubts about Arsenal’s staying power were answered emphatically as Leandro Trossard gave them an early lead before Ben White and Kai Havertz scored two each in a dazzling spell after the break to sweep aside a dazed Chelsea.
It was a powerful statement by Arsenal who have recovered impressively from a home defeat by Aston Villa and bowing out of the Champions League and with four games remaining they are piling the pressure on Liverpool and Manchester City.
Arsenal have 77 points from 34 games with Liverpool, who face Everton on Wednesday, on 74 from 33. Reigning champions Manchester City have 73 points but have two games in hand starting with a trip to Brighton and Hove Albion on Thursday.
It was the sixth time Arsenal have scored five or more in a Premier League game this season and in such a tight race they have a huge goal difference advantage which could prove crucial.
For ninth-placed Chelsea it was their heaviest ever defeat by Arsenal and a hammer blow in their bid to creep into a European place just days after their narrow FA Cup semi-final defeat by Manchester City.
-Reuters
Premier League
Man United’s Rashford, McTominay doubts for Sheffield United game
Manchester United could be without forward Marcus Rashford and midfielder Scott McTominay through injury when they take on bottom-side Sheffield United at Old Trafford, manager Erik ten Hag said on the eve of Wednesday’s Premier League game.
The 26-year-old Rashford had a stellar 2022-23 campaign, scoring 30 goals in all competitions and went on to be named United’s player of the year, but the England international has only netted eight times this season.
McTominay, meanwhile, has 10 goals across all competitions this season.
The duo picked up their respective injuries during Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Championship side Coventry City, which United won on penalties after surrendering a 3-0 lead at Wembley.
“We had a problem with (Alejandro) Garnacho, that’s why we took him off during the game, but I think he will be fine,” Ten Hag told reporters.
“Scott we have to assess today, really doubtful. Marcus is also doubtful, and there was also an issue with Bruno (Fernandes) with the hand but I think he can make it.
“We have some doubts going into the game tomorrow.”
United are already facing a defensive crisis due to injuries to Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.
United are seventh in the league standings with 50 points, 16 behind fourth-placed Aston Villa with six games to go. Sheffield United are fighting relegation and sit bottom, having won just three of their 33 matches.
“We have to win every game. That’s what United stands for, that is our approach, go from game to game but we have to qualify for Europe and we have two opportunities in the league and the FA Cup final,” Ten Hag said.
Ten Hag, who has taken the club to two FA Cup finals and a League Cup final, which they won, in his two seasons at the helm, also described the external criticism his side received for their display against Coventry as “embarrassing”.
“Top football is about results, we made it to a final and we deserved it not only by this game but also the other games,” the Dutchman said.
“We lost control for 20 minutes, we also had bad luck, 3-2, 3-3. We were very lucky in the end, clear. Penalties was very good and we made it to the final, it is a huge achievement.
“Twice, in two years — is magnificent. For me as a manager, four cup finals in four years. The comments are a disgrace.”
-Reuters
Premier League
Arsenal serve ‘5 Alive’ to Chelsea
Arsenal have now gone three points clear at the top of the Premier League after inflicting a humiliating 5-0 defeat on Chelsea on Tuesday night. It is the worst Chelsea team for 25 years.
The 5-0 loss by the visiting side is Chelsea’s second-biggest top flight defeat in London, after a 6-0 loss at Queens Park Rangers on 31 March, 1986. What a ruthless display by Arsenal who scored four times in incredible 18-minute spell in second half
Declan Rice and Kai Havertz scored the two best goals in the game.
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