Cunha’s winner at Emirates Stadium blows EPL race wide open

MANCHESTER, England (AP):

Matheus Cunha blew the Premier League title race wide open with a stunning winner as Manchester United beat Arsenal 3-2 on Sunday.

The Brazil international curled a long-range shot past goalkeeper David Raya in the 87th minute to decide a thrilling game at the Emirates Stadium that leaves Arsenal just four points clear of Manchester City and Aston Villa at the top of the standings.

Cunha said it was “100 per cent” his best moment since joining United last summer.

“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.”

United is up to fourth after back-to-back wins under head coach Michael Carrick, who is increasingly strengthening his case to be given the job on a long-term basis, having beaten City in his previous game in charge.

Two games in, Carrick has beaten the top two in England’s top flight.

“He’s been brilliant with us. He’s brought a fresh energy and the group has really galvanised,” said United defender Harry Maguire. “Two tough games and everyone probably thinks we are going to come away with not many points. But to win both is magnificent.”

For Arsenal, it’s three games without a win in the league to give hope to their title rivals. This was their first home loss this season and came despite taking the lead in the 29th through Lisandro Martinez’s own-goal when trying to block Martin Odegaard’s shot.

If that was a gift, so was United’s equaliser in the 37th. Martin Zubimendi’s loose pass played Bryan Mbeumo through on goal and the Cameroon forward rounded Raya to fire into the empty net. It was his second goal in as many games since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, having also scored against City last week.

Patrick Dorgu was also on the score sheet against City, and he crashed in a spectacular long-ranger off the underside of the bar five minutes into the second half to put United in front.

Mikel Merino looked to have salvaged at least a draw for Arsenal when he bundled in an equaliser in the 84th, until Cunha’s outrageous winner.

“The performance wasn’t good enough and we should have done better. Now it is time to stick together more and to keep working and bounce back,” said Arsenal captain Odegaard.

CARRICK’S FLYING START

Carrick is only contracted until the end of the season while United weighs up its long-term plans. But he could put himself into contention for a longer deal if he carries on like this.

Wins against City and Arsenal have put United in a strong position to qualify for the Champions League. And the thrilling performances have brought smiles back to the faces of fans.

“I give a lot of credit to the staff and the players, in terms of what they have invested and the way they have bought into it,” Carrick said. “It is a really collective feeling and it’s great when it comes together and everyone is in it.

“We said two weeks ago when we came in that we make every decision for the greater good for the football club. My job is to keep improving the team and not getting carried away with two massive results.”

Carrick previously took temporary charge of United for three games when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was fired in 2021.

He is unbeaten over his two spells - winning four of his five games - including two victories against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.

ARSENAL STUMBLE AGAIN

Arsenal remain at the top and in contention for a clean sweep of trophies.

More dropped points, however, raise fresh questions about Arteta’s team, having finished runners-up three years running.

Arsenal has picked up just two points from a possible nine, and despite slips from City and Aston Villa in recent weeks, it holds only a slender lead.

“If you want to win, you have to go through those moments,” said Arteta. “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.

“We want to play with those demands and we know that today we were not at our level and we paid the price.”

Other results: Newcastle 0-2 Aston Villa, Crystal Palace 1-3 Chelsea, Brentford 0-2 Nottingham Forest.