EPL Round-up: Arsenal and Man United win big, as Chelsea remain on top

Arsenal win big against Liverpool

It was a memorable day for Arsenal in the Premier League, as they handed Liverpool a 4-1 drubbing at the Emirates Stadium.

Prior to the kick off on Saturday, Arsenal were arguably the team in better form and looked confident for a win against their top 4 rivals. But nobody expected the final scoreline at the end of the game. It was a game that Liverpool would quickly like to forget about, as Arsenal looked a far better side right from the get-go.

Arsenal's first chance of the match came just 38 seconds after kick off when a quick attacking move by Arsenal saw Alexis Sanchez with a good chance on goal, but the Chile international could not find the back of the net as his effort went well wide of the post. Arsenal kept on pressing Liverpool's defence, but Liverpool were quick to turn defence into attack. Both teams were seen giving possession away rather easily and one such error by Arsenal saw Liverpool's Lazar Markovic pounce on it and cut Arsenal's defence wide open. Markovic was through on goal, with Raheem Sterling to his left and Arsenal's goalkeeper David Ospina advancing towards him. The ball may have ended in the back of the net had Sterling's legs been a little longer, as Markovic's pass just couldn't seem to find his legs. 

Arsenal quickly turned their defensive woes into attack, as Arsenal's fullback Hector Bellerin interchanged passes with Aaron Ramsey on the right flank, that saw him cut into the penalty area and curl one around Liverpool's goalkeeper Simon Mignolet. Bellerin's curling strike gave Arsenal a deserved lead in the 37th minute. 

Another promising attack by Arsenal saw Mesut Ozil in a dangerous position but he was brought down by a mistimed tackle from Liverpool's Sakho, just outside the box. Mesut Ozil neatly converted the free- kick into a goal, while Per Mertesacker blocked Mignolet's view of the ball that ended up in the top corner of the net. Arsenal weren't done yet as Alexis Sanchez added a third for the Gunners through a stunning strike from outside the box, just before half time. Arsenal continued with the second half just as they finished the first, but couldnt find the back of the net on any occasion. Liverpool were given the oppurtunity to salvage something from the game, when Sterling was brought down in the box by Arsenal's goalscorer Bellerin. Jordan Henderson converted the spot-kick into a goal, which only proved to be a consolation goal for the Reds.

Olivier Giroud added Arsenal's fourth and final goal with a curling strike into the top corner of the net, in stoppage time of the second half.  

Manchester United  keep up their Champions League charge

Manchester United looked confident for a win against Aston Villa, but few would have expected the manner in which they'd have to fight for their victory. In the early seconds of the game Wayne Rooney was brought down in the box, but appeals from the United players and all the fans around the stadium were turned down by the referee.

United kept pressing the Villa defence on multiple occasions throughout the first half, but couldn't seem to find the back of the net. A swift counter attacking move by United finally got the better of Villa's defence as Ander Herrera clinically placed the ball into the bottom corner, late in the first half. The second half was rather slow as both teams were content with passing the ball around in the middle of the park.

Di Maria and Falcao came on in the second half to provide more firepower for United's attack and put the game beyond doubt. Di Maria found space down the left flank and crossed the ball into the box that found Wayne Rooney who turned it into the net with a fantastic volley in the 78th minute. Villa quickly replied with a well worked corner routine that saw Christian Benteke beat David de Gea rather easily and burst the game wide open in the 79th minute. 

It was a nail-biting finale at Old Trafford as Villa threatened to steal a point away from United, but Ander Herrera's stoppage time goal in the 91st minute put the game to bed and ensured that all three points remained with United. 

Title Race

Chelsea went ahead in their game against Stoke City through Eden Hazard's penalty in the 38th minute, when Cesc Fabregas was brought down in the box. Stoke City replied strongly with Charlie Adam's incredible 65 yard strike late in the first half and ensured that the teams would go into the break, level pegging. But Hazard's brilliance on the ball and Loic Remy's finish into the back of the net in the 61st minute ensured that Chelsea would bag all 3 points. 

Outlook

Liverpool's loss to Arsenal has almost certainly put them out of Champions League contention, as the points between them and fourth place is eight points. But Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal has insisted that Liverpool aren't out of it yet and that the race for the Champions League places is far from over.

Manchester United have now piled immense pressure on their cross-town rivals Manchester City ahead of their much anticipated Manchester derby next weekend, by sitting above them on third in the Premier League table. City who face Crystal Palace in a late kick off on Monday night lie on fourth place, and will be looking for a victory in order to regain the second place and gain momentum ahead of the derby.

Chelsea maintain their lead at the top of the table with 7 points. Arsenal who sit on second place are just a point above third place Manchester United and will look to increase the gap on their rivals next weekend.

The Manchester derby next weekend will definitely provide another twist to the title race as well as the race for the top 4.