Manchester United's Bryan Mbeumo scores against Arsenal. Photo: AFP
Manchester United loosened Arsenal's grip on the Premier League title race with a 3-2 win in north London on Sunday thanks to stunning second-half goals by Patrick Dorgu and Matheus Cunha.
Victory would have restored Arsenal's seven-point lead over chasers Manchester City and Aston Villa, both of whom won this weekend, but Mikel Arteta's side instead left the door open as they lost at home for the first time this season.
Everything was going to plan for Arsenal when they took the lead in the 29th minute with a Lisandro Martinez own goal.
But a terrible mistake by Martin Zubimendi in the 37th minute gifted United an equaliser -- the Spaniard passing straight to Bryan Mbeumo who finished in style.
Dorgu then smashed a ferocious shot in off the crossbar to put United ahead in the 50th minute only for substitute Mikel Merino to prod the hosts level in the 84th minute.
United were not finished though and Cunha curled home from 25 metres three minutes later to the joy of the visiting fans.
Arsenal, who are now winless in three league games, have 50 points from 23 games with City and Villa on 46. United moved fourth with 38 points.
Villa resume title fight
Aston Villa got their title challenge back on track with an impressive 2-0 victory at Newcastle United, moving them level on points with second-placed Manchester City.
A stunning first-half strike by Emiliano Buendia and a late goal by Ollie Watkins sealed the points for Villa who bounced back impressively from last week's home defeat by Everton.
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins. Photo: Photosport
It left Unai Emery's side on 46 points in third place, four points behind leaders Arsenal who were in action later against Manchester United.
Chelsea moved into fourth place with a 3-1 victory at Crystal Palace, while Nottingham Forest moved five points above the relegation zone with a 2-0 win at Brentford.
One point from their last two league games had stunted Villa's momentum but they were back in the groove against a disappointing Newcastle side.
Buendia opened the scoring in the 19th minute, crowning a slick Villa attack swept from one side of the field to the other. The 29-year-old picked up the ball on the edge of the box and flashed a dipping right-foot shot past Nick Pope.
Roared on by the home crowd, Newcastle pressed forward strongly looking for an equaliser but it was Watkins who had the last word for Villa, ghosting in at the far post to head home in the 88th minute and seal the win.
Goals by Estevao, Joao Pedro and Enzo Fernandez's penalty gave Chelsea the points at Selhurst Park.
Chris Richards grabbed a consolation goal for the hosts who had Adam Wharton sent off.
Chelsea moved above Liverpool into fourth place with 37 points.
Forest were under pressure after third-from-bottom West Ham United moved two points behind them with a win against Sunderland on Saturday.
But they responded with victory at Brentford who lost at home for only the second time this season in the league.
Goals from Igor Jesus and Taiwo Awoniyi proved decisive for Forest who moved level on points with 16th-placed Leeds United.
- Reuters
