Michael Carrick’s Manchester United beat Manchester City 2-0 on Saturday (Sunday AEDT), dealing a huge blow to their neighbours’ Premier League title hopes, as sorry Tottenham slipped to defeat against relegation-threatened West Ham.
Arsenal failed to capitalise on Man City’s loss, being held to a scoreless draw at Nottingham Forest. Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Burnley while Liam Rosenior celebrated his first league win in charge of Chelsea.
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The early result at a bouncing Old Trafford — in Carrick’s first game at the start of his second spell in temporary charge of the Red Devils — left Pep Guardiola’s City six points behind Arsenal.
The Gunners could extend their lead to a daunting nine points if they beat struggling Nottingham Forest in Saturday’s evening game.
Former United midfielder Carrick was appointed as head coach until the end of the campaign following the sacking of Ruben Amorim earlier this month.
The 44-year-old, who was also briefly United’s caretaker boss in 2021, said ahead of his first game that there was still “magic” at United and his team put on a memorable show on home turf.
Second-half goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu capped a dominant display by United, who have had to play second fiddle to neighbours City for more than a decade.
The home side also had three goals ruled out for offside, while Gianluigi Donnarumma was inspired in City’s goal.
“Great start. No getting away from that,” said Carrick. “The boys were fantastic.”
“Consistency is the key to any success,” he added. “If you could find that, then you’re onto a winner.
“That’s our challenge — we’ve got to find a way to do that. Big one next week obviously (against Arsenal), another tough one, but on the back of today, we’ve got a good foundation.”
Guardiola admitted that his team — winless in four league games this year — were outplayed by Carrick’s inspired United.
“The better team won,” said the City boss. “We weren’t at the level required to win this game.
“In many departments, we weren’t there. They were better. They had an energy we didn’t have.”
The mood at Tottenham darkened further after Spurs slipped to a 2-1 defeat against West Ham, who had not won a Premier League match since early November.
Spurs fans turned on manager Thomas Frank and chanted “you’re getting sacked in the morning” after Callum Wilson struck a stoppage-time winner.
Crysencio Summerville had earlier put the away side ahead in the 15th minute with a deflected strike past Guglielmo Vicario.
Spurs captain Cristian Romero headed home Pedro Porro’s cross from the right in the second half to level but substitute Wilson’s goal sparked loud boos at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Spurs have now won just two of their league games at home this season, leaving Frank, in his first campaign in charge, under huge pressure.
“In this moment we need to stay together, work hard, come back tomorrow to the training ground,” said Romero.
“It’s a disaster in this moment for us. Thank you to the fans for always staying with us. Tomorrow we will train in silence, work hard again. (In) midweek we have another big match.”
The win lifted Nuno Espirito Santo’s team to four points behind Forest, who are just above the relegation zone.
Defending champions Liverpool are now unbeaten in 12 games in all competitions but dropped two valuable points against struggling Burnley at Anfield.
Germany midfielder Florian Wirtz scored his third league goal since his arrival but the visitors improved in the second half and drew level in the 65th minute when Marcus Edwards placed his shot beyond the reach of Alisson Becker.
Chelsea boss Rosenior, who replaced the departed Enzo Maresca earlier this month, watched as his side saw off high-flying London rivals Brentford 2-0.
Joao Pedro gave the Blues the lead in the first half and Cole Palmer doubled the advantage from the spot in the 76th minute.
Sunderland beat Crystal Palace 2-1 while Leeds scored late to beat Fulham 1-0, remaining eight points clear of the relegation zone.
ARSENAL’S MISSED OPPORTUNITY
Arsenal opened up a seven-point Premier League lead despite failing to break down a resilient Nottingham Forest in a 0-0 draw at the City Ground on Saturday (Sunday AEDT).
The Gunners had the chance to stretch into a nine-point advantage after Manchester City lost 2-0 at local rivals Manchester United in the lunchtime kick-off.
Arsenal were made to pay for a lacklustre first half performance as Forest held out to boost their own chances of survival.
However, Mikel Arteta’s men remain in a promising position to end a 22-year wait to win the title.
Forest boss Sean Dyche had blasted his side for their first half performance in crashing out to second-tier Wrexham in the FA Cup last weekend.
Dyche received the response he craved as the home side battled hard to edge five points clear of the relegation zone.
City have failed to apply any pressure to Arsenal during a four-game winless Premier League run since the turn of the year.
But back-to-back goalless draws against Liverpool and Forest has prevented Arsenal from building a big lead.
Third-placed Aston Villa could narrow the gap at the top to four points should they beat Everton on Sunday.
The visitors did not have a shot on target in the first half. It was not until Arteta flexed his strength in depth off the bench in the second period that Forest began to be stretched.
Leandro Trossard was introduced at the break with Bukayo Saka, Mikel Merino and Gabriel Jesus all brought on before the hour mark.
Saka came closest to breaking the deadlock when his looping header from Declan Rice’s cross was brilliantly turned behind by goalkeeper Matz Sels.
Merino should have scored but could not turn Rice’s inviting free-kick delivery on target.
Arsenal were able to rely on their solid defence to at least edge further clear at the top thanks to an 11th clean sheet in 22 league games.
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