By our man, at the Emirates
MANCHESTER UNITED’S second-half stars turned the Emirates into a Theatre of Dreams yesterday as Michael Carrick’s rejuvenated Reds snatched a sensational 3-2 victory.
In a clash that had more twists than a London taxi ride, supersub Matheus Cunha was the hero, curling home a 25-yard peach just minutes after Arsenal thought they’d salvaged a point.
The Gunners, who hadn’t lost at home all season, took the lead on 29 minutes when Lisandro Martinez accidentally prodded Martin Odegaard’s shot into his own net under heavy pressure from Jurrien Timber.
But if Arsenal thought they were coasting, they didn’t count on United’s new-found grit. Bryan Mbeumo sniffed out a gift from Martin Zubimendi, whose horror back-pass left David Raya stranded, allowing the United man to slot home a cool equaliser.
The second half belonged to the boys in red. Patrick Dorgu announced himself as a Premier League force with a thunderbolt that nearly took the crossbar off.
His 50th-minute strike was pure “Goal of the Month” material, leaving the Emirates stunned into silence.
Mikel Arteta threw the kitchen sink at it, and it seemed to work when Mikel Merino bundled home from a corner in the 84th minute. The North London faithful went wild—but the joy lasted less than three minutes.
Up stepped Cunha. Replacing Mbeumo, the Brazilian picked up the ball, danced past a tiring midfield, and unleashed a curling arrow that nestled into the bottom corner.
Patrick Dorgu (United): 9/10 – A constant menace. His goal was a work of art.
Matheus Cunha (United): 8/10 – The definition of a game-changer.
One chance, one winner.
Harry Maguire (United): 8/10 – A rock at the back when the pressure mounted late on.
Declan Rice (Arsenal): 7/10 – Covered every blade of grass, but couldn’t stop the leaks behind him.
