He may not be the permanent solution, but Michael Carrick is delivering results in the short term as Manchester United’s interim manager. One week after knocking off rival Manchester City, Carrick’s Red Devils toppled league leading Arsenal 3-2 at the Emirates. Including his prior 2021 interim stint in charge of the team, Carrick is now an unbeaten 4-1-0 managing Manchester United. It was not just the Red Devil fans who were thrilled with Sunday’s results. Both Manchester City and Aston Villa won their matches over the weekend so the lead in the Premier League title chase is now down to four points, far too narrow for the nerves of Arsenal supporters who thought this to be their year after three consecutive second place finishes in the league. Goals by summer signings Bryan Mbuemo and Matheus Cunha bookended a goal by Patrick Dorgu to provide the firepower for Manchester United which took advantage of an uncharacteristically lax Arsenal defense. Cunha was unmarked for his dramatic winner in the 87th minute. The goal by the former Wolves player came three minutes after Arsenal’s Mikel Merino had tied the score and seemingly salvaged a point for the league leaders. It was not to be, and the three-way title chase is on after Arsenal lost at home for the first time this season. No Manchester United fan can scroll past without liking this
Matheus Cunha appreciation tweet ❤️ pic.twitter.com/O1NMRJnFJn
Manchester City were easy 2-0 winners over Wolves in a match that was spectated by Erling Haaland and Phil Foden as Manager Pep Guardiola rested his stars. Aston Villa won by the same 2-0 scoreline at Newcastle, the club’s first victory at St. James’s Park since 2005.
Liverpool, meanwhile, lost for the first time in 14 Premier League matches when Bournemouth’s Amine Adli scored in the final moments of stoppage time in a thriller at Vitality Stadium. Liverpool’s unbeaten run had masked some mediocre play as the Reds drew six different times during their 13-match run. The dropped points during that run had already doomed a title chase well before Adli’s heroics. Bournemouth had been on an 11-match winless run before a victory over Tottenham Hotspur two weeks ago. Saturday’s win extended a three-match unbeaten run for the rejuvenated Cherries.
New Chelsea Manager Liam Rosenior has won back-to-back Premier League matches after the Blues 3-1 victory at Crystal Palace. The Eagles are clearly in deep trouble. Crystal Palace has not won in 11 matches across all competitions and are being managed by an arsonist who has put the match to their season. Disgruntled Manager Oliver Glasner has declared he is leaving after the season and claims ownership has abandoned the manager and players with a transfer policy which has purportedly left the roster unable to compete. An unthinkable relegation battle could beckon for the Eagles who are currently eight points above the drop line.
West Ham is beginning to make some noise as the Hammers try to claw free of the relegation places. The Hammers made it two league wins in a row with their 3-1 thrashing of Sunderland on Saturday. Jarred Bowen had a goal and an assist to overtake Michail Antoinio as the all-time West Ham leader in Premier League goal involvements.
Nottingham Forest, however, has responded both last week and this past Sunday to keep the Hammers at bay. The Tricky Trees won their own second consecutive league match with a surprising 2-0 away win at Brentford, marking only the second time this season that Brentford lost a home Premier League match. Strikers Igor Jesus and Taiwo Awoniyi scored the goals which kept Nottingham Forest unbeaten in their last three matches and, most importantly, five points above West Ham in the battle for a Premier League return next season.
The reason Burnley will not be returning was evident on Saturday when the Claret defense faltered and allowed a late 90th minute equalizer in a 2-2 draw with struggling Tottenham Hotspur. With the lead in the closing minutes, Burnley repeatedly left opposing players unmarked, allowing multiple chances that included Xavi Simons’ booming blast which caromed off the top crossbar shortly before Romero’s header found the net. The Clarets are now ten points removed from safety. Tottenham Hotspur, despite Saturday’s dramatic point, is still without a 2026 Premier League victory.
Leeds are six points clear of the drop line after a 1-1 draw at Everton. Thierno Barry scored his fourth goal in his last five league games to bring the Toffees level with a 76th minute goal. The dropped points by Leeds keeps the Whites at risk of falling into a three-way battle with Nottingham Forest and West Ham for the final safe position in the league.
Everton’s Barry is not the only Premier League player on a current tear. Fulham’s Harry Wilson scored the winner in the 92nd minute of a 2-1 defeat of Brighton to continue his run of brilliant form for the Cottagers. Wilson’s Premier League goal involvements since the beginning of November are exceeded only by Erling Haaland and Saturday’s victory by Fulham has the London side up to seventh in the table.
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