Man U hold Arsenal, Liverpool win 3-1

London, December 6 

Manchester United remain distant spectators in a Premier League title race in which Liverpool continue to chase Manchester City but showed plenty of spirit as they twice equalised in a 2-2 draw with in-form Arsenal at Old Trafford. Liverpool also fell behind but stormed back to beat Burnley 3-1 and cut the gap on leaders Manchester City to two points.

Tottenham Hotspur climbed to third with a 3-1 win over Southampton while Chelsea hung on to fourth spot, above Arsenal on goal difference, despite a 2-1 defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers who ended a run of six games without a win.

Storm clouds have been gathering over Jose Mourinho’s misfiring United side and on a wet night in the north west they again looked well short of being contenders for the top-4. It was the first United vs Arsenal clash since 1986 not featuring either Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger in the dugout. On this occasion it was Wenger’s successor Unai Emery who would be more satisfied as his side stretched their unbeaten run to 20 matches — although United boss Jose Mourinho also took comfort from a result that left his side 18 points behind leaders Manchester City. He could not have expected keeper David de Gea to suffer the sort of panic that keeps undermining his side. De Gea should have comfortably held Shkodran Mustafi’s 26th-minute downward header but merely juggled it over his head and over the line. Anthony Martial levelled six minutes later from close range, Ander Herrera pulling the ball back after Marcos Rojo’s free kick was well-saved by Bernd Leno.

Rojo forced Leno into a fine save but it was Arsenal who led again in the 68th minute when Alexandre Lacazette got the final touch but the advantage lasted less than a minute as Arsenal’s defence allowed Jesse Lingard to steal in and slide a shot under Leno. De Gea made crucial late saves to deny Arsenal a first league win at Old Trafford since 2006.

Shaqiri scores

After Manchester City beat Watford to go five points clear, Liverpool responded well as their best start to a top-flight season continued after falling behind at Turf Moor. James Milner levelled for the Reds after Jack Cork’s surprise opener and substitute Roberto Firmino set Liverpool on course for a 12th win in 15 league games with his first touch before Xherdan Shaqiri rounded things off. — Reuters

EPL Results 

• Man U 2-2 Arsenal
• Liverpool 3-1 Burnley
• Leicester 1-1 Fulham
• Wolves 2-1 Chelsea
• Everton 1-1 Newcastle
• Tottenham 3-1 Southampton