Manchester United conducted a classic smash-and-grab raid on the Emirates stadium, winning 3-1, despite having Paul Pogba sent off in the second half. Antonio Valencia and Jesse Lingard put United 2-0 up within 10 minutes of kickoff, and while Alexandre Lacazette halved the deficit in the 51st minute, Lingard scored another to seal the game. Arsenal had 75% of the ball and took 33 shots in the game, but found David de Gea in inspired form, as he made an incredible 14 saves.
Liverpool continued their recent goalscoring exploits, smashing five past a shell-shocked Brighton team at the Amex. Philippe Coutinho was sublime, setting up two and scoring with a free-kick, with a brace from Roberto Firmino as well. Emre Can and Lewis Dunk’s own goal completed the scoring; Glenn Murray getting the hosts’ only goal with a penalty. Everton’s revival continued, as Sam Allardyce’s first match as manager finished in a 2-0 home win over Huddersfield. Gylfi Sigurdsson and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were the scorers.
Leicester edged past Burnley with an early Demarai Gray goal at the King Power Stadium. Swansea’s rotten form shoes no sign of abating, as they fell to a 2-1 defeat to Stoke City, even after scoring an early goal through Wilfred Bony. Xherdan Shaqiri and Mame Diouf turned it around for the Potters, sending the Swans to the bottom of the table. Spurs dropped yet more points, only managing to draw 1-1 away to Watford. Christian Kabasele gave the Hornets the lead, but Son Heung-Min equalised soon after, and Spurs held on for a point in spite of Davinson Sanchez’s sending off in the 52nd minute.
Chelsea beat Newcastle United 3-1 to remain three points behind United in third place. Dwight Gayle took the lead for Newcastle, but an Eden Hazard double and a goal from Alvaro Morata ensured that there was no shock result at Stamford Bridge. Crystal Palace and West Brom played out a 0-0 draw in Alan Pardew’s first game in charge.
Bournemouth and Southampton’s game ended in a draw as well, Ryan Fraser and Charlie Austin ensuring both teams took a share of the spoils. Lastly, West Ham looked to be on for the shock of the season after Angelo Ogbonna headed them into an unlikely lead on the stroke of half-time at Manchester City, but Nicolas Otamendi equalised soon after, and a late goal from David Silva sealed the points for the Citizens, who are making a habit of scoring late winners.
A good week for United, winning two away games in a row and scoring seven goals in the bargain as well. The win at the Emirates was sorely needed, as the chatter over Mourinho’s away record against the top-six would have grown unbearable with any other result. It sets up the derby on Sunday quite perfectly, in what may already be the last chance to stop City running away with the title.