Pressure continues to mount on Michael Carrick after Manchester United’s frustrating draw with Leeds.
Meanwhile, a stunning goal from halfway summed up Brighton and Hove Albion’s rampant win; while Arsenal kept the pressure on Manchester City with a gritty win over Nottingham Forest.
All that and more in the latest edition of Premier League Wrap!
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‘DEFENDED REALLY WELL’: CARRICK REACTS AS UTD’S WORST-EVER START SEALED
Manchester United ended a turbulent week with a frustrating 1-1 draw at Leeds on Sunday that does little to ease the pressure on beleaguered manager Michael Carrick.
The Red Devils travelled to the home of their bitter rivals desperate to find a spark but were forced to settle for a point after Dominic Calvert-Lewin cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo’s first-half opener.
United now have just one win in seven league games this season – their worst ever start to a Premier League season – and are winless in their past six matches in all competitions.
Carrick – in his first full season in charge – is scrambling for answers, with his team looking short of quality and confidence.
The sense of a growing crisis at Old Trafford was exacerbated by a midweek outburst from defender Lisandro Martinez, who took aim at the United hierarchy after a 2-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
Carrick chose to focus on the positives after Sunday’s game at Elland Road, insisting that the draw was a step in the right direction.
“If there’s any weakness, it gets found out today,” he told Sky Sports.
“I could feel before the game that the players were ready for it. It wasn’t perfect, our confidence isn’t sky-high, but the players were trying to do the right things.
“In moments we looked really good. Defended really well as a team.”
Argentina centre-back Martinez gave an explosive interview in Spain on Tuesday during which he criticised the lack of investment in the summer transfer window.
Carrick insisted on Friday that United had “moved on” from the incident and Martinez was named in the starting line-up at Elland Road.
He was, however, substituted at half time, though both Carrick and veteran Harry Maguire told reporters he had suffered a knock in the first half.
Both teams were fully committed in a feisty start to the match in Leeds but there was little goalmouth action.
The first effort on target came in the 26th minute when Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens clawed away a Nico Elvedi header destined for the top corner after bouncing up off the turf.
Mbeumo, playing as United’s target man, wasted a couple of chances but broke the deadlock in the 35th minute when he guided a Youri Tielemans cross into the bottom corner for his fourth goal of the season.
Leeds put the visitors under sustained pressure after the break and were level in the 51st minute when England forward Calvert-Lewin controlled the ball on his chest and finished at full stretch after Tarik Muharemovic’s header from a corner.
Carrick made attacking substitutions in the search of a winner, bringing on Mason Mount and Matheus Cunha, but neither side could make the breakthrough.
United, in 13th spot, have their fewest wins at this stage of a top-flight campaign since 1986/87.
OUTRAGEOUS GOAL SUMS UP BRIGHTON DOMINATION
Elsewhere on Sunday, Brighton leapfrogged Arsenal into second place, at least temporarily, after humbling Crystal Palace 5-0, including a sensational Diego Gomez effort from the halfway line.
Fabian Hurzeler’s team were three goals up inside 10 minutes after an own goal from Palace defender Jaydee Canvot, Gomez’s spectacular effort, and a strike from Yasin Ayari.
Further goals from Charalampos Kostoulas and substitute Jack Hinshelwood in the second half deepened Palace’s pain.
Only three sides in Premier League history have scored more goals in their first seven games of a season than Brighton’s haul of 23 in the current campaign.
Manager Fabian Hurzeler praised the inspirational Gomez after his goal from the halfway line set the stage for the thrashing.
The Paraguay midfielder was on target for the first time this season in spectacular fashion at the Amex Stadium.
He left Palace goalkeeper Walter Benitez red-faced with a sensational shot that arrowed into the net from just inside the Palace half.
The 51-metre goal of the season contender evoked memories of David Beckham’s astonishing effort against Wimbledon from a similar distance 30 years ago.
Gomez’s wonder-strike was the longest Premier League goal since Wayne Rooney scored from 58 metres for Everton against West Ham in 2017.
Gomez had been well off target with a similar attempt during last weekend’s 2-0 win at Sunderland.
But Hurzeler credited him for trying again, while also showing the mentality the Albion boss craves.
“He’s a hard worker, he always puts the team first. He’s always ‘we’ then ‘me’,” Hurzeler said.
“I know how desperately he wants to get involved in scoring and having assists.
“Last week, he showed against Sunderland, there was already that attempt shooting from the halfway line. There the wind wasn’t perfect for this try. Now the wind was better for him.
“I’m really happy that he gets this reward for all of the effort he’s putting into the club, into his own development, and into the team.”
Jaydee Canvot’s own goal set Brighton on course for a fourth successive top-flight win before Yasin Ayari’s deflected finish quickly added to Gomez’s stunner in a remarkable opening 10 minutes.
Charalampos Kostoulas and Jack Hinshelwood struck in the second half to equal Albion’s biggest win over Palace.
The result also secured Hurzeler’s first victory over Palace, taking his third-placed Seagulls to 16 points from seven games.
It was a sweet moment for the German, who was subjected to chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” from angry Brighton supporters during a 1-0 home defeat by Palace in February.
“The last game against Palace made me really grounded, having this criticism it wasn’t easy,” he said.
“And now we sit here in a completely different mood, with a feeling of being really proud.
“It’s just a privilege to be part of this group and therefore I’m really pleased and happy for everyone who is part of this club.
“I hope everyone enjoys the night today; it’s a much better night than a few months ago and a much better feeling.”
‘HAD TO EARN IT’: GUNNERS KEEP PACE WITH CITY AFTER TOUGH WIN
Mikel Arteta said Arsenal’s strength in depth will be key to their Premier League title defence after Noni Madueke came off the bench to clinch a 1-0 win against Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Arteta’s side were well below their best at the City Ground and did not register a shot on target until Madueke bagged their winner 10 minutes from full-time.
While the Gunners earned few style points in the east midlands, they will not be overly concerned after moving within three points of leaders Manchester City.
Arteta is able to dip into one of the stronger substitutes’ benches in the top-flight and he made full use of the resources at his disposal to turn the tide by the banks of the River Trent.
Crucially, he sent on Madueke for the underwhelming Eberechi Eze at half time. He also introduced Mikel Merino, Viktor Gyokeres and Jurrien Timber as the second half wore on.
It was Madueke who provided the key intervention, cutting in from the left flank to unleash a powerful drive that deflected past Forest keeper Matz Sels in the 80th minute.
“We had to earn it until the last second. They are a well coached team and hard to break down. We had to take risks, they are a dangerous team,” Arteta said.
“We had to manage the emotional part really well. We stayed focused and the finishers made a huge impact.”
Arsenal are in the midst of a hectic schedule which included a Champions League win over Lille in midweek and a looming European trip to Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
Arteta’s ability to rest key players without significantly weakening his team could be a major factor in the title race.
“Some of them played three days ago and some of them will start the next game and they know that everyone has to be at it,” he said.
“If you are needed after 60 minutes, 45 minutes and sometimes two minutes. We have a squad now that can deliver in moments and we have to use that.
“Noni, Jurrien, Mikel was brilliant when he came on and Viktor really changed the game, all of them did and that’s what we need.
“Noni obviously the highlight because he scored the goal and that’s the difference.”
After a shock 3-0 loss at Brighton on September 19, second-placed Arsenal have bounced back with three successive victories.
The north Londoners have not been able to recapture the relentless consistency that took them to a first title in 22 years last season.
But they retain the priceless ability to grind out wins and this was their sixth in seven league matches.
“Sometimes you can get frustrated with teams who are difficult to break down. First half we didn’t have a shot on target and that’s something we discussed,” Arteta said.
“We had another two big ones in the second half but the only one on target we had was a little deflection and it’s in.”
The 1-0 victory moved Arteta’s side back up to second in the table, while Forest, who failed to capitalise on a clutch of late chances, are now in the relegation zone.
“We had to earn it until the last second,” Arteta told the BBC. “They are a well-coached team and hard to break down.
“We had to take risks, they are a dangerous team. We had to manage the emotional part really well. We stayed focused and the finishers made a huge impact.”
Bournemouth beat 10-man Sunderland 2-0 with goals from Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson for their first league win of the season.
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