Story highlights
Man Utd beats Arsenal 3-2
Marcus Rashford scores twice
Four goals in two games for striker
Tottenham beats Swansea 2-1
A week ago, few but the most ardent followers of Manchester United had heard of Marcus Rashford.
Two games, four goals and two wins for the English Premier League (EPL) heavyweights later and the 18-year-old has made an impression – and how.
Rashford’s timely double in the midweek Europa League victory over FC Midtjylland was followed Sunday by a quickfire first-half brace in a crucial 3-2 EPL win over Arsenal.
Not only does the victory dent the Gunners’ title hopes, it has also left Louis van Gaal’s men with hope that they can secure a Champions League place by finishing in the top four of the standings.
It will be an uphill struggle, but United pulled to within three points of city rival Manchester City in that race, having played a game more.
In Sunday’s other game, Tottenham Hotspur underlined its title challenge by coming from behind to beat Swansea City 2-1 at White Hart Lane, closing to within two points of leader Leicester City. Arsenal is in third, a further three points adrift after its defeat.
Rashford only made his debut for Manchester United in its midweek game after a late injury to French striker Anthony Martial in the warmup.
But after making such a favorable impression with his goals and all-round performance, he was always going to find a place in the line-up for the visit of Arsenal.
The London side might have gone ahead through Nacho Monreal after a superb pass by Mesut Ozil, before Guillermo Varela’s cross was smashed home by Rashford just after the half hour mark.
Only two minutes later, Jesse Lingard crossed from the right and Rashford headed expertly home.
It was a stunning intervention, but the gloss was taken off just before the interval as former Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck pulled one back for Arsenal, glancing home Ozil’s free kick.
Rashford’s fairytale performance continued after the break as he set up Ander Herrera for a deflected third, but Ozil quickly pulled one back for Arsene Wenger’s men to ensure a storming finish.
The victory lifts some of the pressure off beleaguered Manchester United manager Van Gaal, but the Dutchman was subjected to ridicule on social media after he fell to the ground in a mock dive while protesting to the fourth official Mike Dean about a decision.
Tottenham, meanwhile, had to battle for its crucial three points, falling behind to an Alberto Paloschi goal for relegation struggler Swansea on 19 minutes.
Intense home pressure yielded nothing, with Lukasz Fabianski pulling off some stunning saves, until substitute Nacer Chadli diverted home Kyle Walker’s low shot on 69 minutes.
The winner came from Danny Rose seven minutes later as he drove home an effort following a corner.