Arsenal stumble at Old Trafford as Cucurella lifts Chelsea into top four

Arsenal's Premier League title hopes suffered another setback on 9 March as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Manchester United at Old Trafford. Meanwhile, Chelsea moved up to fourth with a narrow 1-0 win over struggling Leicester City.

Arsenal's title hopes fading

Declan Rice's equaliser salvaged a point for Arsenal, but Mikel Arteta's side remain 15 points behind runaway leaders Liverpool. With only one game in hand, Arsenal's focus is shifting to securing a Champions League spot, as they sit four points ahead of Nottingham Forest and eight clear of Manchester City.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time with a stunning free-kick. However, Rice levelled 16 minutes from time with a well-taken finish from Jurrien Timber's pass.

The match marked Arteta's 200th Premier League game in charge, making him one of the league's most successful managers with 118 wins. However, his quest for a first league title looks set to continue, with Arsenal on course to finish second for a third straight season.

United manager Ruben Amorim, who has struggled to turn things around at Old Trafford, saw his side remain in 14th place. The home fans voiced their frustration, many wearing black in protest over what they see as "the death" of their club.

Arsenal, missing key attackers such as Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli, struggled to find a focal point up front. David Raya, under scrutiny for his role in Fernandes' opener, redeemed himself with several important saves, denying chances for Noussair Mazraoui, Joshua Zirkzee, and Fernandes late on.

Amorim, who benched Rasmus Hojlund amid the striker's 19-game goal drought, watched the Dane spurn two chances to end his barren run. The result did little to boost Arsenal's title challenge, as their gap to Liverpool appears insurmountable.

Chelsea edge past Leicester

At Stamford Bridge, Marc Cucurella's 60th-minute strike handed Chelsea a 1-0 victory over Leicester City, propelling them into the top four.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, who left Leicester for Chelsea last year, celebrated passionately at full-time. His side struggled to break down Leicester's five-man defence but found a way through when Enzo Fernandez set up Cucurella for a low, angled finish past Mads Hermansen.

Chelsea dominated possession but lacked a clinical edge, with Cole Palmer missing a first-half penalty. Palmer, who had been ill in the days leading up to the match, has now gone seven league games without a goal.

Leicester, managed by Ruud van Nistelrooy, remain deep in relegation trouble, sitting second bottom with 17 points, six from safety. The Foxes have failed to score in their last five matches and managed only three shots compared to Chelsea's 20.

Van Nistelrooy praised his players' resilience, particularly after Ricardo Pereira's late effort forced a save from Robert Sanchez. However, he acknowledged his side's precarious situation, saying, "We depend on other results as well."

Chelsea are now two points behind third-placed Nottingham Forest and 21 adrift of Liverpool. Before their Premier League clash with Arsenal next weekend, Chelsea will host Copenhagen in the Europa Conference League on 13 March, defending a 2-1 lead from the first leg.