Arsenal vs Man Utd LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction after Granit Xhaka goal
Follow live reaction after Arsenal beat Manchester United in a big match in the race for the Premier League’s top four
Follow live reaction after Arsenal dealt a blow to Manchester United’s hopes of a top-four Premier League finish as Nuno Tavares, Bukayo Saka and Granit Xhaka struck in a 3-1 win that revived the home side’s chances of Champions League football next season.
Arsenal were rewarded for their blistering early pace as Tavares tapped home in the third minute after United goalkeeper David de Gea pushed away a curling effort by Saka, following some poor defending by the visitors at the Emirates. Saka doubled the Gunners’ lead from the penalty spot after a foul on the winger in the build-up to a disallowed goal by Eddie Nketiah. Nketiah’s strike was ruled offside by the Video Assistant Referee.
United’s sluggish display overshadowed fleeting moments in which they threatened and was another reminder of the challenge facing incoming manager Erik ten Hag, though the visitors got one back as Cristiano Ronaldo swept in Nemanja Matic’s cross. The Portuguese forward’s 100th Premier League goal came after a traumatic week personally for the player after the death of one of his newborn twin babies.
United improved after the restart but their woes deepened as skipper Bruno Fernandes hit the post with a poor effort from the penalty spot following Tavares’ handball, before a 70th-minute thunderbolt from Xhaka sealed the win for the Gunners.
Brentford vs Tottenham
Brentford are the only one of 31 Premier League clubs that Harry Kane has faced without scoring.
But, Kane has been directly involved in 50 goals in Premier League London derbies, scoring 39 and assisting 11. Only Thierry Henry, with 55, has been involved in more.
Brentford vs Tottenham
Tottenham can win three successive Premier League away matches for the first time since they were victorious in their opening four away matches last season.
They have won just one of their last 11 away London derbies in the Premier League (with three draws and seven defeats), losing the last five in a row. Spurs have never lost six consecutive London derbies on the road in their league history.
Brentford vs Tottenham
Tottenham failed to register a single shot on target in last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to Brighton. They had scored 25 goals in their previous seven league fixtures before that.
Spurs are yet to draw any of their 20 games in all competitions in 2022, winning 11 and losing nine.
Brentford vs Tottenham
Brentford have won five of their last six top-flight matches, after they were victorious in six of their first 27 Premier League games.
They have triumphed in three consecutive Premier League fixtures - the joint-longest current streak of any team, along with Newcastle United.
Brentford vs Tottenham
The race for the top four is still very much on. Arsenal’s 3-1 victory over Manchester United earlier in the day moved them back above Spurs and pretty much ended United’s chances of Champions League football next year.
Antonio Conte’s men need to respond with a win of their own. If they beat Brentford they’ll move back to fourth as their goal difference is better than the Gunners’.
Brentford vs Tottenham
Brentford are hosting Tottenham in a league game for the first time since a 4-1 defeat in the second tier in 1949. If they win Tottenham will complete their first ever league double over Brentford.
The Bees have won just two of the 17 meetings in all competitions, both 2-0 home triumphs - one in a FA Cup third round replay in 1946 and the other in 1948 in the second tier.
As Christian Eriksen and Tottenham meet again, can they be what the other needs?
There will be an emotional reunion between Christian Eriksen and Tottenham Hotspur at the Brentford Community Stadium on Saturday. In time, there could be another, more permanent one.
In early February, days after Eriksen signed for Brentford on a short-term contract, Antonio Conte opened the door to a return to Spurs. He didn’t quite guide him through, though. At that point, seven months on from suffering a cardiac arrest and requiring life-saving treatment while playing for Denmark at Euro 2020, Eriksen had yet to step back onto a football pitch and there were doubts over whether he would be able to at all.
Now Eriksen is leading a Brentford side who are standing in Tottenham’s path to the top four and Champions League qualification. The midfielder’s return to football has been one of the stories of the season and he has made a wonderful impact in west London, inspiring a club who looked to be sliding towards relegation and steering them away from danger.
As Christian Eriksen and Tottenham meet again, can they be what the other needs?
Eriksen will be out of contract this summer following his impressive spell at Brentford while Antonio Conte has made no secret of his admiration for the former Spurs midfielder
Full-time: Manchester City 5-1 Watford
All the pressure is on Liverpool for tomorrow’s Merseyside derby as City are now four points ahead of them in the table.
The Reds are the favourites for the match but you never know what could happen in the title race!
We now turn our attention to Brentford vs Tottenham in another crucial game in the top four race.
Full-time: Manchester City 5-1 Watford
City extend their lead at the top of the Premier League with a convincing 5-1 win over Watford.
Four cracking goals from Jesus and another score from Rodri saw them head and shiulders about the visitors this afternoon.
Watford do have individual talents with Kamara’s goal skilful but it’s clear where Hodgson’s team are at the moment.
Manchester City 5-1 Watford, 90 + 2 mins
After some injuries and that pause for the communication issues between the ref and the VAR there are three minutes added.
It’s more of the same with City creating chances but they aren’t coming off as cleanly as they were in the first 45.
Man of the Match named as four-time scorer Jesus.
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