With only two shots on target throughout the whole 90 and more minutes at The Emirates, United had a lot to thank their goalkeeper for.
A fortuitous own goal and a deft finish from Wayne Rooney on the counter attack was enough to give Louis van Gaal his first away win as United manager but the story could have been a lot different if it wasn’t for De Gea.
The Spaniard has been immensely impressive all season for United and this evening was no different as he made a number of impressive saves to keep Arsenal at bay, particularly during a period of early dominance enjoyed by the London club.
A stand-out save from Jack Wilshere in the first half where the England man was thwarted from eight yards out set the tone for De Gea’s performance, that saw him stop and hold a number of good efforts from Arsenal’s attack.
With each game the 24-year-old is looking more and more comfortable and confident, proving wrong the fans and pundits alike that doubted his physicality when he first moved to Old Trafford.
De Gea denies Jack Wilshere. EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
Newcastle can’t stop winning
Not too long ago Newcastle fans were fearing relegation this season and calling for the head of Alan Pardew. How things change.
Moussa Sissoko’s 78th minute strike at St James’ Park this afternoon was enough to give the Toon Army their fifth straight Premier League win and move them into fifth place, behind Manchester United only on goal difference.
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The day was somewhat dampened however by a knee injury picked up by Ryan Taylor after just thirty minutes that saw him leave the pitch with tears in his eyes. Today was the defender’s first Premier League start in 32 months due to the same injury.
Next week Pardew’s side travel to face West Ham where they will be looking to make it six wins in a row and climb further up the table in the Champions League qualification spots.
Did someone say Pardew out? Steve Drew
Steve Drew
West Brom look to be in a lot of trouble
Yes, The Baggies still sit in 13th place but they are only three points above the relegation zone and just five points from the bottom of the table.
And today’s performance against league leaders Chelsea certainly won’t have breathed any confidence into The Hawthorns faithful.
Defensively Alan Irvine’s side were an absolute shambles and were lucky really only to be beaten 2-0. To say that the defending for Chelsea’s second goal was cataclysmic would probably be thought of as an understatement by many. You won’t see an easier goal scored in the Premier League all season as Cesc Fabregas rolled a corner into the feet of Eden Hazard inside the box, the Belgian was allowed to turn with no pressure and fired home at Ben Foster’s near post.
Tipped by many for relegation at the start of the campaign West Brom looked like proving such doubters wrong with a relatively decent start to the season but two successive defeats and with Arsenal to come next Saturday they could be floundering in the bottom three very soon.
James McCarthy was fit enough to play for Everton
The James McCarthy storm has raged all week after he was forced to miss Ireland’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland due to injury, prompting Roy Keane to make some remarks about Everton players that Roberto Martinez took exception to.
You’d have to imagine then that Roy probably wasn’t too happy when he saw McCarthy’s name on the Everton team sheet this afternoon.
McCarthy looked like his usual impressive self in Everton’s 2-1 win over West Ham, almost bagging himself a goal as well with a curling effort.
Last week’s events might not be the last we hear of fitness and Ireland’s Everton contingent.
Looks fit. PA Wire / Press Association Images
PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Paddy Power look like they made the right decision
Earlier in the week bookmakers Paddy Power shocked punters by paying out on Chelsea to win this season’s Premier League title.
With 27 league games still for The Blues to play the bookies dished out over €400,000 in total to punters that had backed Mourinho’s side to win the title back off Manchester City.
Judging by Chelsea’s first half display this afternoon and by Manchester City’s flat and uninspired performance at The Etihad, they have probably pulled off quite a good PR move.
It goes without saying that it was easy for Chelsea today as West Brom were not up to the challenge in any way and made matters harder for themselves when Claudio Yacob was dismissed, but it’s hard to see Chelsea slipping up this season.
That assesment is mainly down to the sheer strength in depth of the squad in all areas of the pitch but also due to the lack of any real challenge from the trailing teams. Manchester City, who you would have to expect will be the nearest team to Chelsea come May, don’t look anywhere near the force that they were last year.
It’s looking like the more interesting story will be whether Mourinho’s men can go through the campaign unbeaten. I wonder will Mr Power pay out early on that?
5 talking points from today's Premier League action
David De Gea is United’s key player at the moment
With only two shots on target throughout the whole 90 and more minutes at The Emirates, United had a lot to thank their goalkeeper for.
A fortuitous own goal and a deft finish from Wayne Rooney on the counter attack was enough to give Louis van Gaal his first away win as United manager but the story could have been a lot different if it wasn’t for De Gea.
The Spaniard has been immensely impressive all season for United and this evening was no different as he made a number of impressive saves to keep Arsenal at bay, particularly during a period of early dominance enjoyed by the London club.
A stand-out save from Jack Wilshere in the first half where the England man was thwarted from eight yards out set the tone for De Gea’s performance, that saw him stop and hold a number of good efforts from Arsenal’s attack.
With each game the 24-year-old is looking more and more comfortable and confident, proving wrong the fans and pundits alike that doubted his physicality when he first moved to Old Trafford.
Newcastle can’t stop winning
Not too long ago Newcastle fans were fearing relegation this season and calling for the head of Alan Pardew. How things change.
Moussa Sissoko’s 78th minute strike at St James’ Park this afternoon was enough to give the Toon Army their fifth straight Premier League win and move them into fifth place, behind Manchester United only on goal difference.
The day was somewhat dampened however by a knee injury picked up by Ryan Taylor after just thirty minutes that saw him leave the pitch with tears in his eyes. Today was the defender’s first Premier League start in 32 months due to the same injury.
Next week Pardew’s side travel to face West Ham where they will be looking to make it six wins in a row and climb further up the table in the Champions League qualification spots.
West Brom look to be in a lot of trouble
Yes, The Baggies still sit in 13th place but they are only three points above the relegation zone and just five points from the bottom of the table.
And today’s performance against league leaders Chelsea certainly won’t have breathed any confidence into The Hawthorns faithful.
Defensively Alan Irvine’s side were an absolute shambles and were lucky really only to be beaten 2-0. To say that the defending for Chelsea’s second goal was cataclysmic would probably be thought of as an understatement by many. You won’t see an easier goal scored in the Premier League all season as Cesc Fabregas rolled a corner into the feet of Eden Hazard inside the box, the Belgian was allowed to turn with no pressure and fired home at Ben Foster’s near post.
Tipped by many for relegation at the start of the campaign West Brom looked like proving such doubters wrong with a relatively decent start to the season but two successive defeats and with Arsenal to come next Saturday they could be floundering in the bottom three very soon.
James McCarthy was fit enough to play for Everton
The James McCarthy storm has raged all week after he was forced to miss Ireland’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland due to injury, prompting Roy Keane to make some remarks about Everton players that Roberto Martinez took exception to.
You’d have to imagine then that Roy probably wasn’t too happy when he saw McCarthy’s name on the Everton team sheet this afternoon.
McCarthy looked like his usual impressive self in Everton’s 2-1 win over West Ham, almost bagging himself a goal as well with a curling effort.
Last week’s events might not be the last we hear of fitness and Ireland’s Everton contingent.
Paddy Power look like they made the right decision
Earlier in the week bookmakers Paddy Power shocked punters by paying out on Chelsea to win this season’s Premier League title.
With 27 league games still for The Blues to play the bookies dished out over €400,000 in total to punters that had backed Mourinho’s side to win the title back off Manchester City.
Judging by Chelsea’s first half display this afternoon and by Manchester City’s flat and uninspired performance at The Etihad, they have probably pulled off quite a good PR move.
It goes without saying that it was easy for Chelsea today as West Brom were not up to the challenge in any way and made matters harder for themselves when Claudio Yacob was dismissed, but it’s hard to see Chelsea slipping up this season.
That assesment is mainly down to the sheer strength in depth of the squad in all areas of the pitch but also due to the lack of any real challenge from the trailing teams. Manchester City, who you would have to expect will be the nearest team to Chelsea come May, don’t look anywhere near the force that they were last year.
It’s looking like the more interesting story will be whether Mourinho’s men can go through the campaign unbeaten. I wonder will Mr Power pay out early on that?
Man United get first away league win since April with dogged Emirates display
Toure rescues City again to maintain third place
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