EPL: ARSENAL GO TOP OF TABLE AS MAN UNITED EASE PRESSURE ON AMORIM

Read Time:2 Minute, 46 Second

By: Sefiu Ajape

Declan Rice returned to haunt his former club West Ham as Arsenal climbed to the top of the Premier League, while Manchester United eased pressure on manager Ruben Amorim with a 2-0 victory over Sunderland on Saturday.

In Mikel Arteta’s 300th game in charge, the Gunners proved far too strong for struggling West Ham, cruising to a 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium to bolster their push for a first Premier League title in 22 years.

The triumph, however, came with a setback as captain Martin Ødegaard limped off before halftime — his third injury of the season. But Arsenal’s depth once again shone through.

Rice, who joined Arsenal from West Ham in 2023 for a club-record £105 million ($141 million), broke the deadlock with a thunderous rebound finish after Alphonse Areola parried Eberechi Eze’s drive.

Bukayo Saka sealed the points midway through the second half, converting from the penalty spot after Jurrien Timber was fouled by El Hadji Malick Diouf.

The result moved Arsenal one point clear of Liverpool, who play later against Chelsea, while West Ham remain stuck in the relegation zone.

BREATHING SPACE FOR AMORIM

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim earned some relief with a much-needed 2-0 victory over Sunderland at Old Trafford.

Amorim had admitted before the match that he was under pressure to turn results around, having taken just 34 points from his previous 33 Premier League games.

But his side responded with one of their most convincing performances of the season, easing the tension heading into the international break.

Prior to kickoff, Old Trafford observed a minute’s silence in honour of victims of a terror attack at a Manchester synagogue earlier in the week.

Amorim’s bold team selection paid off, with debutant goalkeeper Senne Lammens keeping a clean sheet and Mason Mount repaying the manager’s faith by scoring the opener in the eighth minute from Bryan Mbeumo’s cross.

Bruno Fernandes came close to doubling the lead with a shot tipped onto the woodwork by Robin Roefs, but Benjamin Šeško eventually made it 2-0, firing home from a long throw for his first Old Trafford goal since joining from RB Leipzig for £74 million.

Sunderland briefly thought they had a lifeline when awarded a penalty before VAR overturned the decision due to minimal contact by Šeško on Trai Hume.

The result brought Sunderland’s four-game unbeaten run to an end, serving as a reminder of the challenges in their first season back in the top flight.

SPURS SHINE AT ELLAND ROAD

Tottenham displayed their growing defensive discipline under Thomas Frank, ending Leeds United’s year-long unbeaten home league run with a 2-1 win at Elland Road.

Mohammed Kudus scored his first goal for Spurs to clinch all three points after Noah Okafor had equalised Mathys Tel’s opener.

“That feeling to get over the line, to get three points, was big,” said Frank, whose team moved up to third place.

Liverpool can reclaim top spot later when they face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, while the reigning champions desperately need a win after consecutive losses to Crystal Palace and Galatasaray.

Club World Cup holders Chelsea also find themselves under pressure, having failed to win any of their last three Premier League matches.