(Football news) The clash between Manchester United and West Ham at Old Trafford saw some late drama as Marcus Rashford found the back of the net in the 93rd minute, thereby ensuring the Red Devils leapfrogged the Hammers into the fourth position on the league table after a 1-0 win. Much to manager Ralf Rangnick’s delight, all three of his substitutes, Anthony Martial, Edinson Cavani and Rashford combined brilliantly to steal the three points in a match that looked destined to end in a draw.
This was the fourth goal Rashford has scored after the 90th minute, which is two times more than any other Manchester United player and no other player in the Premier League history has scored more such winners. Speaking after the match, Rashford said “They are the best games to be involved in and when you're on the winning side of it, it's a great feeling, nothing really beats it in football." Rangnick has now won 17 out of a possible 24 points since his arrival and the German said “If you score in the last second of the game that is the best type of wins, a clean sheet, I think in the end we deserved to win."
Reigning champions Manchester City’s 12 game winless run was ended by Southampton after the side drew 1-1. Kyle Walker-Peters scored for the Saints in the 7th minute but Aymeric Laporte equalized for Pep Guardiola’s team in the 65th minute. Despite City hitting the woodwork twice late in the match, the league leaders couldn’t find the winner and are now 12 points ahead of second place Liverpool but the Reds have two games in hand.
Speaking after the match, Pep Guardiola said: "We played really well. Unfortunately, in the first half we conceded a goal, but I think this was one of our best performances of the season, by far. They were incredibly organized and this is one of the best performances we played against them. Yes, the result was not good, but in terms of performance and the way we played, it was excellent. We played better than in the Arsenal game, when we won, and today we drew. Sometimes you deserve it and you don't win, but the way we played here was excellent.
"Why should we lose belief in what we have done? It was a good performance. We are going to drop points, but the way we behave is very good.We have two weeks to prepare for the next game. People will say the Premier League race is not over and that is good for this side. We have many tough games ahead of us, but we will try to behave until the end. I would like to have a 40-point lead ahead of Liverpool, but that is not possible in January. I didn't expect to have this lead, but now we will rest and come back as best as possible."
The Gunners’ hopes for a top four spot was dealt a blow after they were held to a goalless draw against Burnley at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal dominated the game with 76% possession and had 20 shots but failed to capitalize on their opportunities. Mikel Arteta selected Rob Holding over Takehiro Tomiyasu while Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey were suspended. Ben White was accommodated at right back while Burnley saw Connor Roberts, Dwight McNeil, Erik Pieters and Matej Vydra all coming into the side.
Speaking after the match, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said "The way we started the game, it was slow and we didn't play forward enough and didn't have enough urgency. Probably because of Thursday, it could be one of the reasons. Afterwards we picked the game up and started to get better, and certainly the second half was completely different. We were much more dynamic, we had more penetration, we played forward and we had better positions to [threaten] in behind. We created a number of situations, shots, crosses. But to win this match you need to have a different level of quality, and we lacked that today. With the amount of situations we generated, you need a spark, and someone has to win you the game, if you want to be on top."
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Meanwhile at Selhurst Park, Liverpool defeated hosts Crystal Palace 3-1 to keep leaders Manchester City within their sights in the Premier League. Virgil Van Dijk opened the scoring in the 8th minute followed by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the 32nd minute. However, Palace managed to grab a goal back through Odsonne Edouard in the 55th minute but failed to make their chances count which eventually cost them. Jurgen Klopp’s team were awarded a late penalty after a lengthy VAR check as Vicente Guaita and Diogo Jota collided. Fabinho scored from the spot and clinched the three points to ensure his side are just nine points behind the league leaders.
Speaking after the match, Jurgen Klopp said "It was a bit of Jekyll and Hyde football today. You could see how good we can be. We were incredible in the first 35 minutes. Then after an intense week – away at Arsenal – I don't have any real explanation but the intensity might be one. We became sloppy in the last line. In the second half we were not compact, the first line pressed too high and the distance was not right. We played a high line and did not catch them offside which was our fault of course.
"You try absolutely everything and you are not always superior or dominant but you need results. That's football. We did it the hard way but we did it. Crystal Palace are a really talented team, wow… We opened the door for them and they were more than ready to come through it. It makes the win even better because we worked so hard." On the penalty: "It was massive really. I didn't see it back but I don't think I have to because we thought it was and the referee did. The Crystal Palace people did not, which I understand. It was a big three points for us. An intense period so a little breather now which helps. Then we start again."
The London derby saw Chelsea defeat Tottenham 2-0 at Stamford Bridge as Hakim Ziyech and Thiago Silva found the back of the net. The result meant that the Blues have now defeated Spurs for the third time this month and ended their four game winless run in the Premier League. Ziyech scored a magnificent goal in the 47th minute when his curling effort found the top corner while Silva’s trademark glancing header doubled the advantage in the 55th minute. Tuchel made two changes to his side as Malang Sarr and Mateo Kovacic returned to the starting XI while Steven Bergwijn made his first Premier League start since August 29 for Tottenham. Conte also selected Matt Doherty, Eric Dier and Ryan Sessegnon in the starting XI as a total of four changes were made from their 3-2 win against Leicester City.
Speaking after the match Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said "We were working extremely hard for it and it was a tough match. The effort was outstanding, and it was a deserved win. It is so hard to create chances against them, but we were relentless and kept on believing. Keep on going, there was no need for changes, some details of when to take the risk and when not. Encouragement to keep on going.
“I was right behind [Ziyech's goal]. I had the feeling it was a bit too high, but it dropped at the right second. It was a brilliant goal. His technique was brilliant. The table is the table; it is our responsibility to prove ourselves every third day and now we have a break, and it was important to go into this break with a performance we want. We needed this but needed also to do things better. The guys are very tired because it was a long run for us."
