No Villans in this story: Arsenal go top of the league with 2-0 win over Villa

Giroud scores his 50th league goal as Gunners leapfrog Manchester City

LONDON:

Arsenal enjoyed an easy 2-0 win at Aston Villa on Sunday to soar to the summit of the Premier League and leave their hapless opponents rooted at rock bottom.

A landmark 50th Premier League goal from Olivier Giroud, a penalty converted four days after his Champions League hat-trick against Olympiakos, swiftly brought more gloom to Villa Park after eight minutes.

Mesut Ozil then produced his 13th assist of the season to allow Aaron Ramsey to slot home a second goal in the 38th minute and enable Arsenal to move to 33 points, one point clear of Manchester City and Leicester City.

Leicester, however, have the chance to regain the leadership when they entertain struggling holders Chelsea on Monday.

Villa improved in the second half as Arsenal took their foot off the gas but manager Remi Garde, who as a player was once signed by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, could only hear the grumbles of discontent as his side went a club-record 15th league game without a win.

The defeat left Villa stranded at the foot of the table on six points from 16 games, six adrift of 19th-placed Sunderland.

Van Gaal wants fans to continue believing

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal invoked the belief of the club’s players and supporters after their season took another downward turn with a 2-1 loss at Bournemouth.



Former United trainee Josh King scored a 54th-minute winner.

A return of three wins from 12 games in all competitions, coupled with some turgid football, has seen Van Gaal come in for heavy criticism, but he remains upbeat. “It is always like that. It is not new. It is a matter of belief,” the Dutchman told Sky Sports. “Believe in the manager or not. Last year the fans all showed their belief and that is the most important thing.”

Asked if he believed that he was capable of revitalising United’s season, Van Gaal replied: “I always have that confidence. When the players want to perform this way, I always have confidence.”

The win was Bournemouth’s second on the trot, following last weekend’s 1-0 success at Chelsea, and sent them up to 14th in the table.

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe expressed admiration for midfielder Harry Arter, who played for 86 minutes just days after his partner lost a child at birth earlier this week.

“For us it’s been a brilliant week, but the preparation for this game was difficult with the news of Harry Arter and his family,” said Howe. “I want to pay tribute to how courageous he was. I thought he was magnificent.”

Pellegrini praises City’s grit

Manuel Pellegrini believes Manchester City showed the spirit they will need to maintain their Premier League title challenge after securing a late 2-1 win over Swansea.

Pellegrini’s side looked set to drop two points at home to their manager-less opponents when Bafetimbi Gomis drove in a 90th-minute equaliser for his first goal since August.

But City then found a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Yaya Toure’s shot was deflected in off the back of Kelechi Iheanacho.

“I think we showed the spirit of this team when Swansea came back to 1-1,” said Pellegrini. “Of course, there was a feeling of relief. Without the last two minutes, maybe we would have won 1-0.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 14^th,  2015.

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