London (AFP)

Manchester United missed the opportunity to take second place in the standings with only a draw (2-2) in Leicester on Saturday at the opening of the traditional Boxing Day on Boxing Day, while Arsenal drew finally returned to success against Chelsea (3-1).

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That's it for the Red Devils

Uncompromising away from home so far, with 6 wins in as many matches, Manchester United can bite their fingers for having let three points slip away in a match where they have led twice.

There is one point behind Leicester (27 pts), still runner-up three lengths behind Liverpool who will host the penultimate Sunday, West Bromwich Albion.

"One point, it's not the worst of results, but we are disappointed not to come away with the three points", admitted Mancunian coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, "we had many clear chances and we should have kill the match. "

The draw owes a lot to Bruno Fernandes, still decisive.

Saturday, after giving a goal ball to Marcus Rashford (2nd) wasted because he did not frame his header, the Portuguese managed a lucky but brilliant deflection for the English striker, this time materialized with the flat foot (0-1, 23rd).

Fernandes also scored the 2-1 goal, well launched by Edison Cavani, on the lawn for 4 minutes (78th).

Since joining the Premier League eleven months ago, Fernandes has been directly involved in more than half of his side's 60 league goals, with 18 goals and 13 assists.

But that wasn't enough for Manchester, held in check by goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and goalscorer Jamie Vardy.

The first had made an exceptional parade in front of Rashford on the hour mark, with a very firm right hand (59th).

The second allowed his team to equalize even if his shot was straightened by Alex Tuanzebe in his cages (2-2, 85th).

Before that, it was Harvey Barnes who had already tied the teams with a perfect shot from 20 meters (1-1, 31st).

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Arsenal give themselves some air

At worst in the league before this match, Arsenal has proven that he can straighten his head with convincing success against Chelsea, the first in the league since November 1.

If the Gunners only gain one place, to position themselves in 14th place, they take 6 points ahead of the red zone, while their neighbors in south London, slide to 6th place, 6 points behind Liverpool.

Forced to rejuvenate his team because Willian and David Luiz are in isolation as a precaution, despite negative Covid tests, just like the defender Gabriel, identified as a contact case and who will be absent for at least 10 days, Mikel Arteta can be satisfied with his succession.

Serious and diligent, but also very dynamic, against a too predictable Chelsea, Arsenal has also been very realistic.

The opening of the scoring came with a very "soft" penalty, as we say in English, obtained with malice by Kieran Tierney for an avoidable foul by James Reece.

Without qualms, Alexandre Lacazette transformed (1-0, 35th).

Just before half-time, Granit Xhaka added a magnificent full-top free kick (2-0, 44 '), before Bukayo Saka found the opposite top on a happy cross-shot (3-0, 56').

At the end of the match, Arsenal got a little scared, Tammy Abraham reducing the mark (3-1, 85th) before Jorginho missed a penalty, or rather Bernd Leno stopped him well on his left, at the very end of regulation time.

But Chelsea's defeat is to the delight of Aston Villa who earlier beaten Crystal Palace 3-0 while playing the entire second half at 10.

The Birmingham club grab 5th place on goal difference and are only 3 points behind Leicester despite having two games less.

© 2020 AFP