Manchester United hosted Wolverhampton at Old Trafford for this multiplex of the 19th day of the Premier League with the ambition of winning against the red lantern. Ruben Amorim opted for an attacking 4-2-3-1, while Wolves presented themselves in a compact 3-5-2. The Red Devils quickly took control of the ball from the kick-off (1st), but struggled to establish rhythm in a generally dull first period. Despite this lack of intensity, United opened the scoring following a move initiated by Heaven, who projected himself before combining with Zirkzee. The Dutch striker saw his first strike blocked before recovering the ball and deceiving José Sá with a deflected shot (27th). Manchester United then thought they would make the break, but Šeško’s header from a corner crashed onto the post while the Portuguese goalkeeper was beaten (39th). Wolverhampton gradually gained strength and proved dangerous in transition, forcing Lammens to intervene in front of Bueno after a good collective projection (41st). Just before the break, Wolves were rewarded for their audacity from a corner. Zirkzee involuntarily extended the ball with his head and Krejčí, forgotten at the far post, crossed his head perfectly to logically equalize (45th).
Returning from the locker room, Manchester United tried to accelerate but remained imprecise in the last gesture, while Wolverhampton continued to project themselves with confidence. The debates were balanced and the chances were rare until a highlight from the visitors on a set piece. On a long free kick, Doherty won his aerial duel and Krejčí got rid of Heaven at the far post before hitting a low shot (63rd). Lammens then made a decisive double save, first with the left hand then in front of Mosquera, to prevent United from sinking. Despite a few late attempts and a demonstrated desire to push, the Red Devils were unable to make the difference against a well-organized block. The score no longer changed and Manchester United conceded a frustrating draw (1-1), while Wolverhampton left with an encouraging point in their fight for survival. Note that Wolves had not taken points for 3 months in the championship…
The Gunners ensure in the second half
At the same time in London, Arsenal welcomed Aston Villa to the Emirates Stadium for a top-of-the-table shock. Championship leaders, the Gunners started the match with the desire to control the game, but the first period proved closed for a long time. Mikel Arteta’s men monopolized the ball without really unbalancing the Villans block, well in place and dangerous on some axial projections. Trossard showed himself to be the most enterprising on the left and scored a low shot, well captured by Emiliano Martínez (23rd). Gyökeres also created two aerial situations without finding the target, while Saliba proved valuable defensively to contain Watkins and Sancho. At the break, the score remained goalless despite Arsenal’s territorial domination, Aston Villa having managed to hamper the London construction (45th + 4).
The situation changed completely from the restart, Arsenal hitting their first corner of the second half. On a ball delivered by Saka, Gabriel Magalhães cut the trajectory at the near post and scored from close range despite a hesitant exit from Martínez, a goal finally validated after intervention by the VAR (48th). The Gunners then gained confidence and quickly made the break thanks to Zubimendi, who finished without control after a breakthrough and a bright pass from Ødegaard between the centrals (52nd). Aston Villa buckled under the London waves, even if Martínez delayed the deadline by interposing in front of Ødegaard (65th). Arsenal definitively penetrated their opponent with a third goal from Trossard, very active in recovery and finishing, after a movement on the left (69th), then took off definitively with a new achievement in the last quarter of an hour (78th) signed Gabriel Jesus. Ollie Watkins’ goal (90th+4) did not change the situation… This large victory (4-1) allowed Arsenal to consolidate their leading position in the standings, while Aston Villa saw their ambitions curbed in the race to the top of the Premier League.
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