Premier League: Cunha’s late stunner lifts Manchester United over Arsenal 3-2, jolting title race
Matheus Cunha smashed the Premier League title race wide open with an 87th-minute winner as Manchester United stunned Arsenal 3-2 on Sunday, a statement victory that capped Michael Carrick’s perfect start and tightened pressure at the top.
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The Brazil forward curled a long-range strike beyond David Raya at the Emirates Stadium to decide a thriller that leaves Arsenal just four points clear of Manchester City and Aston Villa, with United climbing to fourth after back-to-back marquee wins under Carrick.
- Arsenal 2, Manchester United 3: Cunha settles a classic in North London
- Newcastle 0, Aston Villa 2: Buendia and Watkins keep Villa’s charge alive
- Crystal Palace 1, Chelsea 3: Rosenior’s resurgence rolls on
- Brentford 0, Nottingham Forest 2: Vital points in survival fight
Cunha called it “100%” his best moment since joining United last summer, summing up the stage and stakes in a simple line: “These are the kind of games we dream to play in,” he told Sky Sports. “The games that we watch on television and we want to be part of.”
Arsenal had led on 29 minutes when Lisandro Martinez diverted Martin Odegaard’s effort into his own net. United were level eight minutes later, gifted a route back when Martin Zubimendi’s loose pass sent Bryan Mbeumo through to round Raya and roll into an empty goal — his second in two games since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations.
United seized control five minutes after halftime with a moment of audacity, Patrick Dorgu detonating a staggering drive off the underside of the bar. Arsenal rallied, and Mikel Merino bundled home in the 84th to set up a frantic finish, only for Cunha to settle it with an outrageous winner three minutes from time.
“The performance wasn’t good enough and we should have done better,” Arsenal captain Odegaard said. “Now it is time to stick together more and to keep working and bounce back.”
For Carrick, two games, two wins — against the league’s top two — have reset United’s mood and ambitions. “I’m enjoying it. It’s a fantastic position to be in,” the head coach said. “What happens next? I’m not going to be answering it every week. I’m enjoying it and I’ll continue to do what I can.”
Harry Maguire credited the jolt of clarity and energy since Carrick took charge. “He’s been brilliant with us. He’s brought a fresh energy and the group has really galvanized,” the defender said. “Two tough games and everyone probably thinks we are going to come away with not many points. But to win both is magnificent.”
Carrick is contracted until season’s end while the club weighs long-term plans, but the case for continuity is growing. Wins over City and Arsenal have put United on firmer ground in the hunt for the Champions League. “I give a lot of credit to the staff and the players,” Carrick said. “It is a really collective feeling and it’s great when it comes together and everyone is in it. My job is to keep improving the team and not getting carried away with two massive results.”
He is unbeaten across his two spells in the dugout, winning four of five matches and beating Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal twice — both by a 3-2 scoreline.
Arsenal, meanwhile, face familiar questions after three league games without a win — and a first home defeat of the season — despite still leading the pack and chasing a clean sweep of trophies. “If you want to win, you have to go through those moments,” Arteta said. “The margins are very small and we made them even smaller in the manner we did certain things. Now it is time to react and see what we are made of.”
Villa on the march
Aston Villa’s unlikely title charge held firm with a 2-0 win at Newcastle, Emiliano Buendia’s dipping 19th-minute strike and an 88th-minute clincher from Ollie Watkins moving Unai Emery’s team level with Manchester City on 46 points — four behind Arsenal. It was Villa’s 13th win in 16 league games, a run that underscores the club’s transformation under Emery. City stayed ahead of Villa on goal difference after a 2-0 win against last-place Wolves on Saturday.
Chelsea rising under Rosenior
Chelsea’s upturn continued under new coach Liam Rosenior, with a 3-1 win at Crystal Palace powered by goals from Estevao, Joao Pedro and Enzo Fernandez. Rosenior has won four of his five games in charge in all competitions, including two in the league, with sharper pressing and cleaner transitions evident again at Selhurst Park.
Forest ease relegation fears
Nottingham Forest earned a crucial 2-0 victory at Brentford to reopen a five-point gap to the relegation zone, answering West Ham’s 3-1 win against Sunderland on Saturday that had cut the margin to two. Igor Jesus and Taiwo Awoniyi struck in each half for Sean Dyche’s team, delivering a disciplined away display and a timely boost to their survival push.
Table pressure rises
With Arsenal wobbling, City steady and Villa surging, United’s win was both a gut-punch in North London and a roar back into relevance. Carrick’s side has rediscovered intensity and incision in a week that may define its season. Arsenal still hold the high ground — and control of their fate — but can feel the heat again. The margins, as Arteta said, are razor-thin. And on Sunday, they belonged to United and Cunha’s unerring right boot.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
