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LONDON: Declan Rice came back to haunt former club West Ham as Arsenal moved top of the Premier League, while Manchester United handed Ruben Amorim some relief with a 2-0 win over Sunderland on Saturday.

In Mikel Arteta’s 300th match in charge, the Gunners proved far too strong for the struggling Hammers in a 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium to further their ambitions of a first Premier League title for 22 years.

Victory came at a cost for Arsenal as captain Martin Odegaard was forced off injured before half-time for the third time this season.

However, the strength in depth now on offer to Arteta has made light of Arsenal’s injury troubles.

“We dominated and fully deserved to win this,” said Arteta. “To go top of the table after some big fixtures over the last week and some injuries... we were able to respond.”

Rice, who left West Ham for a club record £105 million ($141 million) in 2023, ended the visitors’ resistence by blasting high into the net on the rebound after Alphonse Areola parried Eberechi Eze’s drive.

Bukayo Saka made the points safe midway through the second half from the penalty spot on his 200th Arsenal appearance after Jurrien Timber was brought down by El Hadji Malick Diouf.

Arsenal edge one point ahead of Liverpool, who are in action later at Chelsea.

Defeat leaves West Ham still languishing in the relegation zone.

- Breathing space for Amorim -

Amorim conceded on the eve of Sunderland’s visit to Old Trafford he needs results quickly to avoid becoming the latest United manager to suffer the sack.

The Portuguese had taken just 34 points from his previous 33 Premier League games in charge, but enjoyed a rare convincing win to give him some breathing space over the international break.

“We were a competitive and adult team today,” said Amorim. “We need to do this kind of performance away as well — it’s our responsibility to play like this.”

Before kick-off Old Trafford fell silent to honor the victims of a terror attack on a Manchester synagogue this week.

Amorim’s bold calls with his team selection paid off as goalkeeper Senne Lammens kept a clean sheet on debut, while Mason Mount justified his place over Matheus Cunha with the opening goal.

Mount eased the home fans’ tension with a fine finish from Bryan Mbeumo’s cross on eight minutes.

Bruno Fernandes saw a shot tipped onto the woodwork by Robin Roefs as United dominated the first half.

Benjamin Sesko doubled the Red Devils’ advantage with a predatory finish from a long throw-in for his first Old Trafford goal since a £74 million move from RB Leipzig.

There was nearly a twist at the end of the half as Sunderland were initially awarded a penalty, only for VAR to intervene due to insufficent contact by Sesko on Trai Hume.

Sunderland began the weekend in fifth after a dream start to their return to the top flight, but the Black Cats were dealt a reality check to end their four-game unbeaten run.

Tottenham showed their newfound defensive resolve under Thomas Frank to end Leeds’ year-long unbeaten league run at Elland Road with a 2-1 victory.

Mohammed Kudus’ first goal for Spurs secured all three points after Noah Okafor canceled out Mathys Tel’s opener for the visitors.

“That feeling to get over the line, to get three points, was big,” said Frank after his side moved up to third.

MANCHESTER: Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim said he does not intend to resign but acknowledged that positive results are crucial to keeping his position at Old Trafford, as pressure mounts following a woeful start to the season.
United are already out of the League Cup after a shock second-round defeat to English fourth-tier side Grimsby Town and failed to qualify for European football following last season’s disappointing 15th-place finish.
The scrutiny on Amorim has intensified this campaign as his side sits 14th in the Premier League table, eight points behind leaders Liverpool, with just seven points from six matches.
The 40-year-old Portuguese, who has overseen nine wins, 17 defeats and seven draws in his 33 league games in charge, spoke to reporters ahead of Saturday’s home game against high-flying promoted side Sunderland: “No, that is a decision of the board. I cannot do that (resign).
“Sometimes I have that feeling and losing is hard, not to create the momentum. It’s so frustrating when you create the momentum, go to the next game, something happens. That feeling sometimes hurts me a lot. Also the players and especially the staff here.
“But that is not my decision and I think it would be really hard to leave if I don’t do everything to follow my career here.
“It’s a dream to be here and I want to continue here and I want to fight for this. But the problem is now what makes me suffer is to lose games, not to lose my job. You fear to lose your job when you have to pay the bills and I don’t have that feeling.”
Amorim said he is not “naive” about the precarious nature of his position at a club of United’s stature.
“We understand that we need results to continue the project. We will reach a point that is impossible for everyone because this is a very big club with a lot of sponsors, with two owners. So it’s hard, the balance is really hard,” he added.