London (AFP)

In numerical superiority from the second minute, Manchester United equaled the record for the largest victory in the Premier League (9-0) on Tuesday against Southampton and joined Manchester City at the top of the championship.

Before this spectacular match on Matchday 22, the last team to win with such a margin in the league is Leicester, who had already crushed Southampton 9-0 in October 2019.

- United in demonstration -

Well helped by their opponent out of the shot, Manchester United signed their biggest league victory since 1995 - their victim was then called Ipswich Town, crushed 9-0.

Thanks to their display, the Red Devils return to the height of leaders City with 44 points, even if Pep Guardiola's players, who travel to Burnley on Wednesday, have a better goal difference and two games less.

Southampton, which was in a delicate phase before this match - 1 victory, 3 draws and 4 defeats over the last 8 days -, scuttled in the first seconds.

Alexandre Jankewitz, a young midfielder established for the first time in the Premier League, was sent off in the second minute for a very dangerous gesture on Scott McTominay.

Manchester United was quick to take advantage of it, insisting on the right flank of the defense where the equally inexperienced Kayne Ramsay was established.

Three of the four goals scored in the first period came from this side, Luke Shaw, the left-back of the Red Devils, giving two assists, for Aaron Wan-Bissaka (1-0, 18th) and Edinson Cavani (4-0 39th ), while Marcus Rashford had scored 2-0 (25th) on a combination of Shaw with Mason Greenwood.

The 3-0 had been scored against his camp by Jan Bednarek (34th), decidedly cursed Tuesday night since he was excluded at the end of the match.

As if the evening was not bad enough, the VAR refused, for a tiny offside, a goal for Che Adams at the start of the second act (54th).

Anthony Martial, who replaced Edinson Cavani at the break, took the opportunity to score a double after a shortage of 8 matches (5-0, 69th and 8-0, 90th).

McTominay from afar (6-0, 71st), Bruno Fernandes on penalty (7-0, 87th) and Daniel James in added time (9-0), completed this offensive feast.

- Arsenal punishes themselves -

Arsenal let slip a match that stretched out their arms by conceding a penalty just before the break and receiving two red cards for David Luiz and Bernd Leno, offering the victory to Wolverhampton (2-1).

The Gunners remained in 7 games unbeaten in the league and Wolves in 8 without a win, but the trajectories were reversed.

Arsenal seemed in control of the match after opening the scoring deservedly by Nicolas Pépé, shortly after the half hour mark (0-1, 32nd).

But the Gunners completely lost track at the end of added time in the first period, when Luiz crossed paths with Willian Jose who was about to strike at the entrance to the box.

His knee hit the striker's heel and the referee not only awarded a penalty, but also sent the Brazilian out.

Since joining Arsenal in the summer of 2019, no player has conceded more penalties (6) or received red cards (3) than him.

Ruben Neves transformed the penalty and after returning from the locker room, the former Monegasque Joao Moutinho, with a superb strike from the post from 25 meters, gave the advantage to the locals (2-1, 49th).

Things got even more complicated when Leno, who did not appreciate the trajectory of a ball outside its surface, had the unfortunate reflex to release it with the elbow, resulting in his immediate expulsion (72nd).

An evening to quickly forget for the men of Mikel Arteta, 10th with 31 points.

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