Goals from two corner routines handed Ruben Amorim his first Premier League defeat as Manchester United were beaten 2-0 by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.
After being frustrated in the first half by United, the hosts found the breakthrough when Jurrien Timber glanced Declan Rice’s corner beyond Andre Onana in the 54th minute.
Arsenal doubled their lead in similar fashion, this time from the opposite side when Bukayo Saka’s back-post delivery was headed back across by Thomas Partey, with William Saliba providing the finishing touch.
Kai Havertz almost put the hosts further in front but was thwarted by Onana, with substitute Mikel Merino also nearly scoring from another corner moments later.
Despite victory, Arsenal drop to third after Chelsea’s 5-1 thrashing of Southampton, but they closed the gap to leaders Liverpool to seven points, while United are 11th.
Data Debrief: Corner Kings
Arsenal are known for the threat they possess from set-pieces, especially corners, and that weapon proved crucial in getting a much-needed win to keep their title hopes alive.
The Gunners have now scored more goals from corners (22) than any other team in the Premier League since the start of last season, with both of their goals on Wednesday coming this way. 10 of those have opened the scoring in a match, which is also a league-high figure in this period.
It was also a happy 50th Premier League appearance for Arsenal for Rice after he notched the assist for the opener. Since the start of last season, no player has recorded more assists from set plays than Rice (seven, level with Saka).
For Amorim, meanwhile, he suffered his first league defeat since December 2023 (Sporting CP 2-3 Vitoria Guimaraes), with the defeat at the Emirates ending a 34-game unbeaten run for the Portuguese coach in league competition (W31 D3).
Viktoria Plzen 1-2 Manchester United: Hojlund spares Onana's blushes
Manchester United fought back from Andre Onana's calamitous mistake as Rasmus Hojlund's double saw off Viktoria Plzen 2-1 in the Europa League.
Onana gifted hosts Plzen the lead in the 48th minute of Thursday's contest at Doosan Arena, when he passed straight to Pavel Sulc, who squared for Matej Vydra to tuck home.
Yet Onana's blushes were spared thanks to Hojlund, whose winner came in the 88th minute.
The Dane, who came on in place of the ineffective Marcus Rashford, was in the right place to tap in after Martin Jedlicka parried straight to him in the six-yard box.
And after Mason Mount had seen two attempts saved by Jedlicka, Holjund reacted sharply from Bruno Fernandes' clever free-kick to drill home the late winner.
Antony and Amad Diallo squandered opportunities for United to put the result beyond all doubt in stoppage time, but Ruben Amorim's team nevertheless got back to winning ways ahead of Sunday's Manchester derby.
Data Debrief: Amorim in good company thanks to hotshot Hojlund
Amorim is only the third United boss to win both of his first two matches in major European competition in charge of the club, after Matt Busby and Alex Ferguson.
That is largely down to the efforts of super-sub Hojlund, who has been involved in 50% of United's goals in the Europa League this season (6/12), with the forward scoring (four) or assisting (one) each of United's last five goals in the competition.
The Red Devils are now well placed to qualify for the last 16 of the Europa League, though Plzen were dreaming of a famous win when former Burnley forward Vydra put them ahead.
Vydra has scored three goals in the Europa League this season; only Michael Krmencik (four) and Marek Bakos (four) have netted more goals for Plzen in a single campaign of a major European competition.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea: Maresca's men secure qualification in freezing temperatures
Chelsea confirmed their spot in the last 16 of the Conference League by beating Astana 3-1 in bitterly cold conditions.
A temperature of -10 degrees was recorded in Almaty, Kazakhstan, where the match was hosted, but it did not bother the Blues.
Marc Guiu got the visitors off to a good start, dribbling inside from the right and firing into the net after 14 minutes.
Enzo Maresca's side doubled their lead via an Aleksandr Marochkin own goal four minutes later, before Renato Veiga's header made it three.
Marin Tomasov pulled one back for Astana just before the break, but it was never likely to be enough.
The Blues cruised through the second half with a serenity that summed up their progress in the competition so far, with Maresca able to hand opportunities to several youngsters.
T&T welcome Jamaica, SVG and Dominica for U-20 Women's Invitational football tourney
Trinidad and Tobago is set to welcome regional rivals Dominica, Jamaica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) for the third edition of the Jewels of the Caribbean Invitational Women’s Football tournament as they intensify their respective preparations for next year’s Concacaf Under-20 qualifiers.
The tournament, scheduled for December 15-20, provides a platform for some of the Caribbean’s most promising under-20 female footballers to display their talents ahead of their 2025 campaigns.
As host, the Twin Island Republic will participate with two teams, the Red Angels and the White Angels, coached by former senior internationals Ayanna Russell and Dernelle Mascall, respectively.
Details of the event were revealed by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) on Wednesday.
“The Jewels of the Caribbean Tournament is fast becoming a staple on the Caribbean football calendar, offering valuable competitive opportunities for women’s teams outside of Concacaf and Caribbean Football Union-organized events.
“This year’s event is made possible through the backing of the NGO Female Forward, which played a key role in securing First Citizens Bank as the tournament's title sponsor. Additionally, FIFA has stepped in to assist participating associations by covering expenses such as accommodation, meals, and internal transport,” a release said.
The action kicks off on December 15 with a double-header at the Larry Gomes Stadium. Jamaica and SVG will face off at 2:00pm, before the Red Angels and Dominica lock horns at 4:00pm.
On Monday, the White Angels will open their account against SVG at 7:00pm at the Ato Boldon Stadium. The tournament will conclude with the final and the third-place playoff, both to be held at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
TTFA president Kieron Edwards emphasized the broader significance of the tournament.
“This tournament is a tremendous step forward for women’s football in our region...it underscores the TTFA’s commitment to elevating women’s football and providing opportunities for growth and development,” Edwards noted.
The tournament marks the start of a busy period for Trinidad Tobago as their Under-20 team is grouped with Bermuda, Canada, and Dominica for the women’s qualifiers, scheduled for February 20-25.
Meanwhile, the Under-17 women will compete against Belize, Honduras, and the US Virgin Islands in their qualifying group from January 27-February 1.
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