Wenger praises match-winner Sanchez
The Chilean’s goal in the dying embers saw Arsenal past Southampton
LONDON:
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hailed the speed with which Alexis Sanchez has adapted to the Premier League after the Chilean forward's last-gasp winning goal helped the Gunners defeat top-four rivals Southampton.
Sanchez, a £30 million signing from Barcelona, netted his 14th goal of the season in the 89th minute of Wednesday's game to earn Arsenal a 1-0 win that sent them to within two points of the Champions League spots.
Southampton's England international goalkeeper Fraser Forster produced a string of fine saves at the Emirates Stadium, but could not stop Sanchez's close-range finish from Aaron Ramsey's low cross.
“He was one of the players who had to dig deep, but he has such a desire to fight that he always finds something special to get the goal,” said Wenger. “It's difficult to find examples of people who have settled in so quickly. My memory is not perfect, but I can't think of a quicker one. We're in December and he arrived in July. When you look at the number of goals and the impact he has had in the team, it is fabulous.”
Southampton remain in third place despite back-to-back losses, having gone down 3-0 at home to Manchester City on Sunday. “There is a long way to go, but I think they are top-four contenders,” the Frenchman said about his side’s opponents.
Chelsea cruise past Spurs
Chelsea preserved their six-point lead at the top by beating Tottenham Hotspur 3-0.
The Blues had been held to a goalless draw at Sunderland at the weekend, but returned to winning ways against Tottenham, who have not won at Stamford Bridge since February 1990.
Chelsea were missing top scorer Diego Costa due to suspension, but after Spurs striker Harry Kane had rattled the crossbar with an early header, Didier Drogba set up Eden Hazard for the opener before slotting home the second just three minutes later to effectively end the match. Substitute Loic Remy then sealed the scoring in the second half with a fine finish.
“They started better than us and should have scored before us, but after our first goal our team became more stable and confident and we controlled the game," Jose Mourinho told BBC Sport.
Aguero’s brace sees City past Sunderland
In-form striker Sergio Aguero scored a brace and set up another as Manchester City kept up the pressure on Chelsea by winning 4-1 at Sunderland.
City had lost all four previous visits to the Stadium of Light and went a goal down as Connor Wickham gave The Black Cats the lead. However, Aguero equalised with a superb solo goal then an intelligent flick freed Stevan Jovetic for the second. Pablo Zabaleta then lifted the ball over former City keeper Costel Pantilimon from a tight angle to make it 3-1, before Aguero’s second on the night made it 4-1.
"Sergio is only 26 and he can improve every day," said City manager Manuel Pellegrini after the game. "At the moment we are seeing very high performances from him. Not only is he scoring, but he's playing well as well."
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hailed the speed with which Alexis Sanchez has adapted to the Premier League after the Chilean forward's last-gasp winning goal helped the Gunners defeat top-four rivals Southampton.
Sanchez, a £30 million signing from Barcelona, netted his 14th goal of the season in the 89th minute of Wednesday's game to earn Arsenal a 1-0 win that sent them to within two points of the Champions League spots.
Southampton's England international goalkeeper Fraser Forster produced a string of fine saves at the Emirates Stadium, but could not stop Sanchez's close-range finish from Aaron Ramsey's low cross.
“He was one of the players who had to dig deep, but he has such a desire to fight that he always finds something special to get the goal,” said Wenger. “It's difficult to find examples of people who have settled in so quickly. My memory is not perfect, but I can't think of a quicker one. We're in December and he arrived in July. When you look at the number of goals and the impact he has had in the team, it is fabulous.”
Southampton remain in third place despite back-to-back losses, having gone down 3-0 at home to Manchester City on Sunday. “There is a long way to go, but I think they are top-four contenders,” the Frenchman said about his side’s opponents.
Chelsea cruise past Spurs
Chelsea preserved their six-point lead at the top by beating Tottenham Hotspur 3-0.
The Blues had been held to a goalless draw at Sunderland at the weekend, but returned to winning ways against Tottenham, who have not won at Stamford Bridge since February 1990.
Chelsea were missing top scorer Diego Costa due to suspension, but after Spurs striker Harry Kane had rattled the crossbar with an early header, Didier Drogba set up Eden Hazard for the opener before slotting home the second just three minutes later to effectively end the match. Substitute Loic Remy then sealed the scoring in the second half with a fine finish.
“They started better than us and should have scored before us, but after our first goal our team became more stable and confident and we controlled the game," Jose Mourinho told BBC Sport.
Aguero’s brace sees City past Sunderland
In-form striker Sergio Aguero scored a brace and set up another as Manchester City kept up the pressure on Chelsea by winning 4-1 at Sunderland.
City had lost all four previous visits to the Stadium of Light and went a goal down as Connor Wickham gave The Black Cats the lead. However, Aguero equalised with a superb solo goal then an intelligent flick freed Stevan Jovetic for the second. Pablo Zabaleta then lifted the ball over former City keeper Costel Pantilimon from a tight angle to make it 3-1, before Aguero’s second on the night made it 4-1.
"Sergio is only 26 and he can improve every day," said City manager Manuel Pellegrini after the game. "At the moment we are seeing very high performances from him. Not only is he scoring, but he's playing well as well."