United's agony continues on a pouring rain, flawless Arsenal keep marching
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Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 30.09.23. | 19:05
The Gunners celebrate a 4-0 away win while their nemesis suffers another dreadful 1-0 home loss, this time to a squad they beat just a few days ago
This agony is far from over, isn't it?
Just four days after stomping Crystal Palace 3-0 in the EFL Cup tie at Old Trafford, Manchester United managed to lose to the same team 1-0 in a Saturday Premier League clash. This way, Palace leapfrogged the Red Devils, now falling to the tenth place in the table.
On a pouring rain, United's plan seemed to have vanished in front of a solid defensive block Roy Hodgson installed in front of the Eagles' keeper.
FT: Manchester United 0-1 Crystal Palace.
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) September 30, 2023
That’s already the 4th Premier League defeat of the season for Erik ten Hag and his team. They now go 10th in the table. pic.twitter.com/q3UqnkRCMP
Despite an astonishing 77% of ball possession, the favourites didn't create a single clear-cut chance. It was a full-scale demonstration of football played without a visible plan or idea, which led to a deserved loss.
Erik ten Hag opted for Hojlund and Rashford in the attacking line, but instead of fruitful cooperation, we saw a lacklustre performance of not just two of them but the entire side.
On the other hand, Crystal Palace were smart enough to make the most of their only goal-scoring opportunity for the entire 90 minutes. Joachim Andersen found himself in the opposite box in the 25th minute, reacting like a top-class attacker, hitting a jaw-dropping volley to silence Old Trafford.
It never recovered from that, nor did Ten Hag's woeful slot.
One could argue that maybe such a formidable form has arrived too soon, but it's an undeniable fact Arsenal are riding on a solid wave that thumped Bournemouth 4-0 on Saturday night.
It was another routine away win for Mikel Arteta's slot, led by a much-inspired playmaker Martin Odegaard. The Norwegian scored one from the spot, was heavily involved in Bukayo Saka's opener and, finally, was taken down in the box for the penalty that Kai Havertz converted to his team's third goal at Vitality Stadium.
Dominating the ball possession, the Gunners controlled the game's balance and rhythm, keeping the hosts away from any action near the danger zone.
Declan Rice's return to the squad after a recent minor injury proved to be hugely important for the North Londoners.
Along with Odegaard and Havertz, who scored his first Premier League for Arsenal, Rice provided stability in the midfield, paving the road for success.
Deep into stoppage time, White jumped sky-high for a lovely header to close this excellent match in a proper fashion.
PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 7
Saturday
Aston Villa - Brighton 6-1 (3-0)
/Watkins 16, 24, 65, Estupinan 26 og, Ramsey 85, Luiz 90+7 - Fati 50/
Everton - Luton 1-2 (1-2)
/Calvert-Lewin 41- Lockyer 25, Morris 32/
Wolverhampton - Man.City 2-1 (1-0)
/Dias 13 og, Hwang 66 - Alvarez 58/
West Ham - Sheffield Utd 2-0 (2-0)
/Bowen 24, Soucek 37/
Newcastle - Burnley 2-0 (1-0)
/Almiron 14, Isak 76 pen/
Man.Utd. - Crystal Palace 0-1 (0-1)
/Andersen 25/
Bournemouth - Arsenal 0-4 (0-2)
/Saka 17, Odegaard 44 pen, Havertz 53 pen, White 90+3/
19:30: (3.15) Tottenham (3.70) Liverpool (2.30)
Sunday
16:00: (2.85) Nott.Forest (3.20) Brentford (2.75)
Monday
22:00: (3.80) Fulham (3.50) Chelsea (2.10)
***odds are subject to change***
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