LONDON: Manchester United’s winless run continued but they gave under-fire coach Louis van Gaal crumbs of cheer with a committed display in an entertaining 0-0 draw with Chelsea while Arsenal went top of the table on Monday.
Arsenal beat Bournemouth 2-0 with goals from Gabriel and Mesut Ozil to move on to 39 points from 19 Premier League games, one ahead of Leicester City who are at home to Manchester City, in fourth.
Mesut Ozil put in another brilliant performance, grabbing a goal and an assist as the Gunners now sit top of the table, one point ahead of Leicester City. Leicester has one game in hand.
Those changes paid off, as Gabriel put Arsenal ahead in the 27th minute. Mesut Ozil’s corner kick found the head of Gabriel, who took advantage of some poor defending from Bournemouth to walk past his mark and head home from close range. It was the Brazilian’s first goal for the Gunners, and Ozil’s 16th assist of the season. Dutchman Van Gaal, whose tenure in the Old Trafford hot seat is under intense scrutiny after a Champions League exit and three successive league defeats, was afforded a warm reception by fans who have been critical of his team’s lack of flair.
United responded with attacking intent, striking the woodwork twice in the opening 16 minutes and both sides created good chances throughout.
The game exploded into life early on as Rooney set up Juan Mata and the former Chelsea midfielder drilled an effort against the crossbar and out.
Moments later Chelsea thought they had taken the lead when John Terry powered a header towards goal but David de Gea did brilliantly to tip the effort over the bar.
Chelsea, playing their second game under interim manager Guus Hiddink after Jose Mourinho’s sacking, wasted the game’s best opportunity midway through the second half when Nemanja Matic raced clean through before blazing the ball wildly over.
It was all United for the remainder of the half as Chelsea’s back four struggled and Rooney drilled a powerful shot on goal from 35-yards out which Courtois palmed away.
United, now eight games without a win in all competitions, are sixth on 30 points while Chelsea are 14th on 20.
Earlier, Tottenham Hotspur rose to third after Son Heung-Min netted a late goal in a 2-1 victory at 10-man Watford while Marko Arnautovic’s stoppage-time penalty gave Stoke City a 4-3 win at Everton.
Darren Fletcher’s 78th-minute goal for West Bromwich Albion was enough to beat struggling Newcastle United 1-0 while Aston Villa’s miserable season continued with the bottom side, marooned on eight points, going down 2-0 at Norwich City. (Agencies)
