Sport

United end Arsenal's perfect start

05:55 am on 5 September 2022

Marcus Rashford scored twice as Manchester United made it four wins in a row and ended Arsenal's perfect start to the Premier League season with a 3-1 victory at Old Trafford.

Marcus Rashford Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Gabriel Martinelli looked to have given Arsenal a 12th-minute lead after finishing off a swift break but the effort was disallowed following a VAR review.

Martinelli forced two saves out of United keeper David De Gea as the visitors began to dominate but it was the home side who drew first blood through debutant Antony.

The Brazilian winger, signed from Ajax last week, was found on the right by Rashford and coolly drifted a shot into the far bottom corner.

Arsenal deservedly drew level when the outstanding Martin Odegaard threaded a ball towards Gabriel Jesus in the box and after a challenge by Raphael Varane the ball fell to Bukayo Saka who slotted home.

United restored their advantage in the 66th minute, however, when Bruno Fernandes found Rashford with a superb through ball and the England striker beat the advancing Aaron Ramsdale.

It was another swift counter that led to United's third with Christian Erkisen breaking clear and slipping the ball across to Rashford for a simple finish.

Arsenal still top the table with 15 points, one ahead of Manchester City and Tottenham.

United are fifth with 12 points.

Brendan Rodgers Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Alexis Mac Allister scored twice as Brighton & Hove Albion deepened the crisis at Leicester City with an emphatic 5-2 victory at the Amex Stadium.

Leicester have one point from their opening six games and despite taking the lead inside a minute, were outplayed in a performance that will add to the substantial pressure on manager Brendan Rodgers after a summer of discontent at the club.

Brighton, who climbed into the top four, travel to south coast rivals Bournemouth on Saturday while Leicester host fellow strugglers Aston Villa in what is shaping up to be a must-win game for Rodgers.

Meanwhile the Premier League is to review the controversial VAR decisions at Chelsea and Newcastle yesterday with referees' body PGMOL as a matter of priority.

The move comes after decisions that denied Newcastle United and West Ham goals against Crystal Palace and Chelsea, respectively.

Both teams thought they had scored, with the goals confirmed by the on-pitch referee.

In each instance, the goals were disallowed after VAR.

Both decisions have been heavily criticised, with many arguing that the role of VAR is not to get involved to reverse debatable calls that have already been made.

-Reuters