LONDON, Feb 7, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – Manchester United missed out on a share of
top spot in the Premier League after twice throwing away leads in a 3-3 draw
with Everton, while Arsenal’s top-four chances are fading fast following a 1-
0 defeat at Aston Villa on Saturday.
United looked set to move level on points with leaders Manchester City
until Dominic Calvert-Lewin snatched a point for Everton in the 95th minute
at Old Trafford.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men continued their goalscoring form from a 9-0
thrashing of Southampton in midweek as Edinson Cavani’s header and a
sumptuous lob from Bruno Fernandes gave them a 2-0 half-time lead.
But the defensive problems that have blighted United’s chances of a first
league title in eight years were exploited by Carlo Ancelotti’s men after
half-time.
“Going forward we were very good, but we need to stop conceding easy
goals,” said Solskjaer, who claimed expectations of a title challenge were
asking too much of a side that finished 33 points behind champions Liverpool
last season.
“We’re not talking about winning titles,” added the Norwegian. “This team
has come a long way.”
Two goals in seven minutes from Abdoulaye Doucoure and James Rodriguez
early in the second-half brought Everton level.
Scott McTominay’s header restored the Red Devils’ lead 20 minutes from
time, but they could not hold on as Calvert-Lewin slotted home after a
hopeful free-kick into the box with virtually the last kick of the game.
A point aids Everton’s bid for Champions League qualification as they
close to within three points of fourth-placed Liverpool, who host City on
Sunday.
– Villa dream –
Arsenal’s hopes of a top-four finish are receding as they remain in 10th
after a second defeat to Villa this season.
The Gunners fell behind after just 74 seconds to Ollie Watkins’s deflected
shot and were unable to muster a convincing response.
Villa, on the other hand, can dream of making the Champions League as they
climb to eighth, five points off fourth with a game in hand.
The closest Mikel Arteta’s men came to a response was a stunning save from
former Arsenal ‘keeper Emiliano Martinez to turn Granit Xhaka’s free-kick
behind.
“In the Premier League when you give a goal to the opponent — and we gave
them another three opportunities to be fair, just giving them to them — and
then you are not ruthless in the opponent’s box, you don’t win games,” said a
frustrated Arteta.
– ‘Embarrassing’ Soucek red –
West Ham remain fifth, but did little to aid their chances of a top-four
finish with a 0-0 draw at struggling Fulham.
Scott Parker’s Fulham are still without a win in 12 games, but could
easily have shaded a game of few clear-cut chances when Ademola Lookman’s
free-kick flew just wide.
However, the result was overshadowed by a controversial refereeing
decision by Mike Dean deep into stoppage time when West Ham’s Tomas Soucek
was sent-off after a VAR review for an unintentional clash with Aleksandar
Mitrovic.
“I’m actually quite embarrassed for Mike that he would have made that
decision,” said West Ham boss David Moyes.
Fulham are still eight points adrift of safety after Burnley came from
behind to earn a 1-1 draw against Brighton.
Johann Berg Gudmundsson’s equaliser made amends for an earlier mistake
when he let Lewis Dunk’s header squeeze past him on the line for Brighton’s
opener.
A six-game unbeaten run has allowed Brighton to open up a 10-point gap on
the bottom three. Newcastle also pulled clear of the drop zone with a
thrilling 3-2 win at St James’ Park to ease the pressure on beleaguered boss
Steve Bruce.
Southampton got off to another nightmare start as Joe Willock struck on
his Newcastle debut before two goals from Miguel Almiron, either side of
Takumi Minamino’s reply for the Saints, put the Magpies 3-1 up.
A fine James Ward-Prowse free-kick dragged the visitors back into it and
Southampton should have taken advantage after Jeff Hendrick’s red card and
Fabian Schar’s premature departure through injury — which left Newcastle
down to nine as they had used all their substitutes.
But Newcastle held on to claim just their second win in 14 attempts in all
competitions as they moved 10 points clear of the relegation zone.