Arsenal storm to 4-1 win against Aston Villa to strengthen EPL title credentials, but Manchester United limp against lowly Wolves.
Arsenal snapped Aston Villa’s 11-game winning run with a dominant 4-1 win to open up a five-point Premier League lead, as Chelsea and Manchester United wasted the chance to climb into the top four.
Wolves picked up just their third point of the season in a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, while Chelsea have won once in seven league games after being held 2-2 by Bournemouth in the last round of English top-flight games on Saturday.
Arsenal avenged their only defeat in the last 25 games in all competitions earlier this month at Villa Park to take a firm grip of the title race.
Doubts over Villa’s ability to live with Arsenal and Manchester City over 38 games were realised as Unai Emery’s men were blown away in the second half at the Emirates.
After a tightly contested first 45 minutes, in which Villa had their chances through Ollie Watkins, Arsenal cut loose.
Mikel Arteta’s men could rely on a set-piece once more to break the deadlock, when Gabriel Magalhaes outmuscled Emi Martinez to score on his return to the starting lineup from a hamstring injury.
Martin Odegaard’s fine through-ball then teed up Martin Zubimendi to quickly double the Gunners’ lead.
Two quality strikes then rubbed salt in the visitors’ wounds as Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus fired in from outside the box.
Watkins netted a consolation, but third-placed Villa fell six points behind the leaders.
City can cut the gap at the top back to two points when they travel to Sunderland on January 1.
United wasted another chance at Old Trafford to boost their chances of a return to the Champions League next season.
Joshua Zirkzee’s deflected effort gave the Red Devils the lead, but Ladislav Krejci’s header snapped Wolves’ 12-game losing streak.
Ruben Amorim’s men remain in sixth, two points outside the top four.
Chelsea failed to lift the gloom at Stamford Bridge as Enzo Maresca’s decision to substitute Cole Palmer was booed by the frustrated home fans.
David Brooks gave the Cherries the perfect start, but Bournemouth quickly showed why they have conceded more goals on the road than any other side in the English top flight.
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