Manchester City move clear at the top while Manchester United retained Arsenal



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United’s two best chances fell to Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani, but both times he strayed from goal.

Reuters, Manchester

PUBLISHED ON JANUARY 31, 2021 7:02 AM

Manchester City beat bottom-side Sheffield United 1-0 and broke three points away from Manchester United, who drew goalless against Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday.

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ disappointing campaign continued with a 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace, but Newcastle United ended their losing streak with an impressive 2-0 win at Everton.

A goal in the ninth minute by Brazilian Gabriel Jesus gave City a 1-0 win over Sheffield United, who had given the title seekers a huge boost with their midweek win at Manchester United.

Jesus conceded from close range after Ferran Torres took advantage of a poor defense to slip away and choose his teammate without scoring.

City were not at their best against Chris Wilder’s well-organized defense, although goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale did well to avoid a good header from Oleksandr Zinchenko and Aymeric Laporte.

The visitors lunged at the attacking players as they looked to sneak a point and gave Pep Guardiola’s team a scare with a late effort from John Fleck that flashed wide. City have 44 points from 20 games with United three points behind but having played one more game. Third-placed Leicester City could overtake Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side with a win over Leeds United on Sunday.

Opportunities were also hard to come by at the Emirates, where Manchester United ended a disappointing week having given up five points in the title race. Arsenal came out strong after the break and Alexandre Lacazette came closer to scoring for the hosts with a 56 minute free kick that hit the crossbar. United’s two best chances fell to Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani, but both times he strayed from goal. United set a new club record of 18 unbeaten away games in the league, while Arsenal, eighth with 31 points, have not lost since December 19. Selhurst Park. Eze broke the deadlock in the hour, firing a low left-handed shot that edged past Wolves goalkeeper Rui Patricio.

DOUBLE WILSON

Newcastle United celebrated their first Premier League victory in 10 games and took the pressure off manager Steve Bruce after two goals from Callum Wilson secured a 2-0 win at Everton. Wilson shot the visitors up front with a brilliant header in the 73rd minute and the former Bournemouth striker added the second in injury time from close range.

Ivan Cavaleiro came off the substitute bench to achieve a late draw when Fulham held off teammates West Bromwich Albion to a 2-2 draw at the Hawthorns. Fulham took the lead in the 10th minute when Aleksandar Mitrovic slid a long pass to Bobby Cordova-Reid, who passed over West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone. West Brom tied early in the second period when a center by Brazilian Matheus Pereira was stabbed by defender Kyle Bartley. Pereira appeared to have scored a first league win at home for West Brom under Sam Allardyce when he smashed the ball over Fulham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola. But Fulham saved a point after a cross from Harrison Reed found his backup teammate Cavaleiro, who headed home 13 minutes from time.

In the final match on Saturday, England midfielder Jack Grealish fired an excellent cross for Ross Barkley to head home as Aston Villa overcame a slow start to beat Southampton 1-0 at St Marys. Danny Ings had a late goal disallowed for offside for Southampton, who fell to their third consecutive loss in the league.

This story has been published from a news agency feed with no changes to the text.

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