Premier League 2022, results, news, scores, EPL, Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo, Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest, table, ladder

Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League table in a five-goal win over Nottingham Forest, but the win was clouded by an injury to England star Bukayo Saka that could put him in doubt for the World Cup.

Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford once again shone in a 1-0 win at Manchester United, while Cristiano Ronaldo struggled in a rare league start.

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RASHFORD MAKES WORLD CUP STATEMENT

Marcus Rashford’s 100th goal for Manchester United sealed a 1-0 win against West Ham as the English forward pushed for a World Cup spot on Sunday.

Rashford has been one of United’s most improved players this season after several years in the doldrums.

But the 24-year-old is still not guaranteed a place on England’s flight to Qatar for the World Cup in November.

Rashford, who was left out of England’s most recent Nations League roster, seized the opportunity to remind Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate of his qualities with a fine display being topped off by the first-half winner at Old Trafford.

With Southgate watching from the stands, Rashford’s seventh goal in all competitions this season was perfectly timed before the English manager announced his World Cup squad.

After scoring against Sheriff in the Europa League on Thursday, Rashford said Erik ten Hag was a “joy” to play for, while praising the United manager’s role in his revival.

City goes top after absolute rocket as Chelsea, Liverpool stunned on wild day: PL Wrap

Thanks to Rashford, the 22nd player to score goals for United in a century, and a string of fantastic saves from David De Gea, Ten Hag’s side are fifth in the Premier League.

United are unbeaten in their last eight games in all competitions and are one point behind Newcastle fourth in the race to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

West Ham manager David Moyes has yet to beat United in the Premier League, having lost 12 of his 16 visits to his former club.

United have had to try their luck at times, their defense cracking when the much-maligned Harry Maguire made his first league start since August 13 in place of the injured Raphael Varane.

– Red Hot Rashford –

Rashford bore the biggest threat to United and he sliced ​​through the West Ham defense for a powerful drive that caught Craig Dawson and slipped just over the bar.

Rashford came close again with a header from a cross by Diogo Dalot that forced West Ham keeper Lukasz Fabianski into action.

Cristiano Ronaldo made his first league start since the scoreless draw against Newcastle on October 16, having been given a return to the team after his brief exile after refusing to come on as a substitute against Tottenham.

A wasted pass from Ronaldo put an end to a promising attack and sparked frustrated fans at United, whose fears mounted when Anthony Elanga volleyed next to from a good position.

But Rashford cleared United’s fears in the 38th minute with a perfectly timed run to the far post, where he leapt above Thilo Kehrer to meet Christian Eriksen’s superb cross with a six-metre ball head.

Rashford remained red hot into the second half, leaping past his marker for a curling iron that narrowly whistled wide from the edge of the area.

Ronaldo continued to shake his head in disbelief after wasting two good chances in quick succession when he shot headlong and then wide.

If those misses were any indication of Ronaldo’s decline, the 37-year-old kept trying and his deflected shot nearly crawled over Fabianski.

Said Benrahma was West Ham’s dangerous man and his long range effort was well held by De Gea as the visitors enjoyed a period of sustained pressure.

In a tense final it was De Gea who ended up as United’s savior when Spaniard Mikhail Antonio denied a good stop and then made an even better save to keep Kurt Zouma’s header out.

Dea Gea saved his best for last when he dove to the left at full force to make a brilliant save on Declan Rice’s goal.

IMPOSSIBLE HERO IN ARSENAL DRUBBING AFTER INJURY

Reiss Nelson was the unlikely hero as Arsenal regained the top spot in the Premier League on Sunday with a 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest.

Nelson made his first part of the Premier League this season after Bukayo Saka was sidelined a few weeks before the World Cup with a worrying injury for England boss Gareth Southgate.

Saka scored the opening goal for Gabriel Martinelli after just five minutes before he was substituted due to an ankle injury.

Nelson scored his first Premier League goal since July 2020 early in the second half to give Arsenal breathing room.

He added a second just three minutes later, then challenged Thomas Partey to crawl into the top corner.

“It could not have gone much better for me after my arrival,” said Nelson, who was loaned out to Feyenoord last season.

“Once the goals came in it was a great game to play in. I worked so hard in training waiting for my chance and I’m really happy to get it.”

Martin Odegaard rounded out a performance that shook off doubts about Arsenal’s ability to fight for the title by firing high past Dean Henderson 13 minutes before time.

The win lifts Mikel Arteta’s men one point above Manchester City to the top of the rankings.

“It’s great to be there,” Arteta said.

“It’s always hard to win in this competition and today we had a tough game after traveling and playing in Europe and I think the team responded very well.”

– Mari support –

Arsenal’s players gathered before kick-off to support teammate Pablo Mari.

Mari, who is on loan from Monza, was stabbed this week during a knife attack at an Italian supermarket that killed one person.

That incident put Arsenal’s bad week on the pitch in perspective after a 1-1 draw at Southampton last weekend was followed by a 2-0 defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the Europa League.

Any fear that the Gunners were beginning to feel the fatigue of a packed schedule was blown away in a blistering opening.

Martinelli ducked to meet Saka’s inviting cross with his head to open the floodgates.

But Saka’s departure is a major concern for Arteta ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Chelsea next weekend.

“He had a really bad kick and he tried, but he couldn’t continue,” Arteta added.

Forest have started to take shape for the first time in 23 years in recent weeks as they return to the highest level, including a 1-0 win over Liverpool last weekend.

But it wasn’t until the end of the first half that they ever threatened to get the hosts in trouble when Takehiro Tomiyasu threw himself in front of Jesse Lingard’s effort.

Nelson finished the game quickly after the break when he shot past Henderson after his first attempt was saved and then drove in Gabriel Jesus’ cross near the nearest post.

Partey made four in style as he stroked the ball into the top corner from 25 yards.

Jesus did everything he could to end a seven-game drought, but had to settle for a second assist from his pass. Odegaard found the space to shoot in the fifth.