Arsenal continue title charge, Manchester United struggle at Southampton

Brazilian Gabriel Jesus earned a roar from Gunners fans when he entered the game in the 77th minute, his first action since a knee injury suffered at the World Cup in November. Jesus nearly scored in the 85th, but his shot from close range went straight to the keeper.

United see red in draw with Southampton

At Old Trafford, Manchester United endured a frustrating afternoon with a nil-all draw against Southampton that was marked by the expulsion of Brazilian midfielder Casemiro.

At Old Trafford, Casemiro was sent off in the 34th minute for a high boot against Carlos Alcaraz, giving confidence to the visitors in an entertaining game with great chances at both ends.

The referee had originally given Casemiro a yellow card before changing it to red after a video check.

Captain Bruno Fernandes came closest for Manchester United in the second half with a low shot off the post while prolific striker Marcus Rashford saw a shot well saved in a one-on-one with Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu in the first period.

Southampton missed a string of chances, with Theo Walcott seeing a point-blank header and curling shot both brilliantly saved by David de Gea, while Kyle Walker-Peters hit the post and James Ward-Prowse saw a couple of free kicks go close.

The result was not what Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag wanted after last week’s 7-0 drubbing by Liverpool in the league and it was a disappointing follow-up to the scintillating 4-1 Europa League win over Real Betis in midweek.

Newcastle up to fifth

Miguel Almiron came off the bench to secure a 2-1 victory for Newcastle United over Wolverhampton Wanderers with only his second goal since December to move his side into fifth place.

Left out of the starting line-up by manager Eddie Howe, Almiron got his chance in the 68th minute and made his mark 11 minutes later with a superbly taken goal to earn Newcastle a first league win in six games.

Club record signing Alexander Isak had given Newcastle the lead with a powerful header after 26 minutes although they were perhaps fortunate to not be down to 10 men after keeper Nick Pope appeared to take down Raul Jimenez in the box earlier.

To add to Wolves’ frustration, Pope made several top-quality saves and Daniel Podence fired a shot against the post.

The visitors equalised when a slip by Kieran Trippier, as he tried to clear the ball, allowed substitute Hwang Hee-chan the easiest of finishes in the 70th minute.

Newcastle hung on to claim the victory that pushed them above Liverpool with 44 points from 25 games – four behind Tottenham Hotspur with two games in hand. Wolves remain in 13th place but only three points above the relegation zone.

“I’ve been wanting to play more but it has been giving me a bit of fuel and I’m happy to start today and get three points,” Izak said. “I’ve had to be patient but I’ve been working hard.”

West Ham climb out of danger zone

West Ham United drew 1-1 with Aston Villa, with Said Benrahma scoring from the penalty spot to cancel out Ollie Watkins’s early opener, lifting the London club back out of the relegation zone.

West Ham, who slipped into the bottom three after Everton and Bournemouth won on Saturday, dominated the game but struggled to convert their chances.

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Villa went in front with their first real attack of the game, as in-form Watkins rose highest to head home from Alex Moreno’s inch-perfect cross in the 17th minute.

That lead lasted just nine minutes, however, as Benrahma made amends by hammering his spot kick past Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez after a clumsy foul by Leon Bailey on Lucas Paqueta.

Chasing a goal, West Ham pumped plenty of long balls forward and crosses into the box after the break, but Villa dug in and Martinez stood firm when called upon.