Controversial Arsenal win as Manè upsets Wanyama’s Spurs

Early kickoff for Premier League on Saturday saw Arsenal welcoming struggling Hull City at Emirates. This was the game for Arsene Wenger to consolidate the top-four place. Gunners have found going very tough after losing two consecutive league matches.

The Tigers on the other hand, came to this game surefooted, hoping to repeat the same feat they did at Anfield-Liverpool went down by two goals. All in efforts to escape relegation.

Hull’s forward, Markovic came close in the tenth minute but Arsenal’s shot-stopper arose to the occasion. In the 15th minute, Mesut Ozil and Sanchez’s touches right from the midfield bore no fruits.

Alexis Sanchez 34th controversial goal put the visitors ahead. The forward used his hand to tap in. At the break center referee, Mark Clattenburg apologized to Hull’s manager and fans for allowing Sanchez goal to stand.

Temperatures rose in the final minutes of the game. In the extra minutes, a controversial red card was shown to Hull’s Sam Clucas after preventing Lucas Perez to score in the box. This raised eyebrows bearing in mind the same tackle by Kieran Gibbs earned him a yellow for bringing Lazar Markovic down early in the game.

Sanchez beat Jakuovich from the spot making it two for the hosts. His double put Arsenal on track with a comfortable 2-0 home win. It was Chilean 17th goal of the season.

Harsh referring decisions by Clattenburg saw the Gunners increasing tally to 50 points, nine behind leaders as the Tigers are left gasping for air at the relegation zone.

Manchester United played hosts as they welcomed Watford at Old Trafford in another fixture. The Red Devils are unbeaten in 17 league games; they have drawn nine times- more than any other team. Manager, Jose Mourinho urged his men to secure a win and declare fight in the surge for a top-four spot.

The Hornets have beaten arsenal in their previous fixture adding to a four games unbeaten run, proved to be worthy challengers for United.
Anthony Martial proved lethal in the early minutes of the game but failed to find the net on several occasions.

The home side took the lead in the 32nd minute after Juan Mata made no mistake in utilizing Martial’s cross and slotted in. United enjoyed a slim lead by the stroke of half time.

Martial made it two in the 60th minute after Capoue’s mistake in the midfield as Zlatan Ibrahimovic? wins the ball before finding the Frenchman who slots in calmly.

Watford would have pulled one back, but Daryl Janmaat 72nd strike went above the crossbar.

Goals from Mata and Martial in each half ensured United all three points. They are now sixth on the log with 48 points.

Match of the day saw Tottenham Hotspur making a trip to Anfield to face out of form Liverpool. The Reds are winless in five matches, including a rude defeat in the arms of Hull City last week. Spurs won by a solitary goal last week when they faced Boro.

In the 16th minute, Sadio Mane, opened the scoreline, thanks to Georginio Wijnaldum assist which saw the Senegalese outpace Davies at the back before slotting in past Hugo Lloris.

A chaotic Spurs box, saw Mane net his brace two minutes later. Eric Dier’s fault is to blame as Coutinho won the ball, whereby his first shot was saved so it was with Robert Firminho’s rebound. The third fell on Mane who tapped in from a close range.

The hosts held on until the last whistle, securing their first win in the Premier League in 2017. Pochettino’s men showed no fight today and they performed poorly. Spurs and Liverpool hold second and fourth positions respectively-though temporarily if Manchester City wins against Bournemouth on Monday.

All Saturday’s results
Arsenal 2 Hull City 0
Manchester United 2 Watford 0
Middlesbrough 0 Everton 0
Stoke City 1 Crystal palace 0
Sunderland 0 Southampton 4
West Ham 2 West Brom 2
Liverpool 2 Spurs 0