Two goals from Jesse Lingard settled a modern Premier League classic in Manchester United’s favour as they survived an Arsenal onslaught and the sending off of Paul Pogba to keep in touch with Manchester City.
Jose Mourinho’s side produced a masterclass in counter-attacking football but were indebted to goalkeeper David De Gea for making a succession of crucial saves to keep Arsenal out.
A swift one-two inside the opening 11 minutes had Arsenal floored, as Antonio Valencia’s low drive and Lingard’s finish from a cute Anthony Martial flick through put United in command.
Arsenal should have scored on several occasions during the first-half but did halve the deficit early in the second courtesy of Alexandre Lacazette.
De Gea made a critical double save from Lacazette and Alexis Sanchez to keep United ahead, before they broke clear to extend their lead through Lingard’s second.
Pogba was then sent off for a stamp on the back of Hector Bellerin’s knee, meaning he’ll miss next weekend’s derby with City. But the 10-men of United clung on to move within five points of the leaders.
More to follow.
Antonio Valencia is at the centre of celebrations after opening the scoring for Manchester United in the fourth minute
The United right wing-back drilled home a low shot after Arsenal’s defence was pulled out of position by Paul Pogba
Valencia watches as his low shot beats Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech and finds the bottom corner for the opening goal
Valencia (right) leads the United celebrations with Paul Pogba and Victor Lindelof after his early strike gave them the lead
Jesse Lingard scores United’s second goal on 11 minutes after being slipped through by Anthony Martial’s cute flick
Lingard starts to celebrate after seeing his shot beat Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech and nestle in the net for the second
Lingard celebrates by showing off some dance moves in front of the travelling Manchester United fans at the Emirates
United’s Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku are pumped up as they shout to the travelling fans after Lingard’s goal
Aaron Ramsey and his Arsenal colleagues look dejected after falling two goals behind in just 11 minutes at the Emirates
Alexandre Lacazette halved the deficit early in the second-half, following in to score after Aaron Ramsey teed him up
United were caught out attempting to appeal for an offside, allowing Ramsey to knock the ball back to Lacazette to score
The goal, on 49 minutes, have Arsenal a lifeline in the match as Lacazette celebrates with his team-mates
David de Gea reacts with dismay after Lacazette finally breaks down United’s stubborn defensive resistance
Having been under the cosh for most of the second-half, United broke away to score a third courtesy of Jesse Lingard
Lingard celebrates with a knee slide after scoring his second of the evening and United’s third on 63 minutes
United’s substitutes, who were warming up nearby, join in with Lingard’s celebrations after the third goal went in
United were rocked when Paul Pogba was shown a straight red card for stamping on the back of Bellerin’s leg
Pogba stamped on the back of Bellerin’s leg as the ball went past the Arsenal man and earned a straight red card
Television replays showed that Pogba’s straight red card was merited as he stamped Bellerin on the back of the knee
Arsenal forward Alexandre Lacazette tries to guide the ball home under pressure from United defender Marcos Rojo
United were lucky to survive this moment as Alexandre Lacazette shoots from close range with David de Gea grounded
Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech grabs the ball ahead of United striker Romelu Lukaku as the visitors push for a third goal
Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka can’t believe his luck as United somehow get away without conceding during the first-half
A frantic vignette of the first-half action as United keeper David de Gea just guides a cross away from Koscielny’s head
Granit Xhaka is sent tumbling after Romelu Lukaku beats him to the ball in the air as Arsenal searched for a breakthrough
Another moment of alarm in the United penalty box late in the first-half as Chris Smalling clears ahead of Alexis Sanchez
David de Gea goes to ground early as Alexandre Lacazette attempts to go round him and shoot towards goal
David de Gea made a staggering double save from Lacazette and then Sanchez (pictured) to prevent an Arsenal equaliser
United’s Jesse Lingard closes down Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal during the opening exchanges of the contest
Arsenal wing-back Hector Bellerin tries to turn inside United’s Jesse Lingard during the first-half at the Emirates Stadium
Mesut Ozil attempts to cut the ball back from the byline, beating United defender Victor Lindelof, during the opening minutes
Arsenal’s German playmaker Mesut Ozil leaps to win a header ahead of United defender Chris Smalling in the first-half
Alexis Sanchez and Chris Smalling tussle for the ball as Arsenal attempted to fight back from their double early blows
United manager Jose Mourinho issues instructions to Paul Pogba as the French midfielder takes a swig of drink
Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi, an early replacement for the injured Shkodran Mustafi, gets the better of United’s Ashley Young
Alex Iwobi tries to break away but comes under pressure from United midfielder Paul Pogba as Arsenal look for a route back
Arsenal captain Laurent Koscielny comes under pressure from United’s Jesse Lingard as the home side go on the attack
Anthony Martial attempts to shield the ball away from Mesut Ozil during the first-half as United go on the offensive
Alexis Sanchez shoots from a free-kick 25 yards from goal as the Gunners look for a route back into the contest
Romelu Lukaku, the United striker, breaks away from a grounded Nacho Monreal as the visitors go on the counter-attack
Arsenal mascot Gunnersaurus Rex shows off some silky skills just before the kick-off but didn’t make their starting line-up