EPL Round-up | Liverpool notch up first win of 2017, Arsenal, United register wins

02/12/2017

In a controversial match, Alexis Sanchez scored twice to help the Gunners defeat Hull City 2-0 to retain their place in the top-four. Manchester United prevailed over Watford 2-0, while Liverpool ended their winless run in 2017 defeating Tottenham Hotspur on the back of Sadio Mane's stellar display.

Arsenal 2-0 Hull City

Alexis Sanchez's brace helped Arsenal win the game against Hull City 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium. But the first goal came under a controversial situation, as the Chilean star got the benefit of the referee not noticing the ball hitting his arm before the ball entering the net.

In the 34th minute of the game, the Gunners opened the scoring when the ball came off forward Sanchez's hand and ended up in the net. The close proximity of Sanchez to the deflection off Hull goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic cleared him of doing that intentionally, but the replays suggested that it was clearly a handball.

Meanwhile, Arsenal got some more chances to score a goal, but Hector Bellerin and Sanchez failed to convert those chances. Mesut Ozil also couldn’t hit the ball perfectly as the ball volleyed over the crossbar as the game was still at 1-0 until the 90th minute.

In the 90th minute, Sanchez converted a penalty in injury-time to finish the game in the hosts' favour. With this victory, the Gunners retain their spot in the top four ahead of their Champions League trip to Bayern Munich midweek.

Manchester United 2-0 Watford

French professional Anthony Martial marked his return with a goal and an assist as Manchester United defeated Watford 2-0 to move one point adrift of a top-four place to be in the Champions League race.

Martial first set up Juan Mata's goal in the first half of the match by providing a low cross to him in the 32nd minute. In the 60th minute of the game, Martial found the net to give United a 2-0 victory in the game.

With this victory, United have taken their unbeaten run to 16 and now within a point of fourth-placed Manchester City. They will now face Bournemouth on Monday. This victory also saw United became the first team to win 2,000 points in the Premier League.

Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur

Liverpool striker Sadio Mane scored twice against Tottenham at Anfield as Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool ended their winless Premier League run in 2017.

Mane was absent in the Premier League to participate in the Africa Cup for his country Senegal and in his comeback match in the premier league, immediately helped Liverpool turn around their fortunes.

In the 16th minute of the game, the forward put the Reds ahead with a clinical finish after latching on to a Georginio Wijnaldum pass 35 yards from goal. Within next three minutes, Mane doubled the lead by pouncing on a loose ball from close range after keeper Hugo Lloris had denied Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino.

Spurs now remain nine points behind table-leaders Chelsea ahead of the Blues' trip to Burnley on Sunday. Liverpool, who had not won in their five previous matches, move back up to the fourth position.

Other matches:

Middlesbrough 0 - 0 Everton

Stoke City 1 - 0 Crystal Palace

Sunderland 0 - 4 Southampton

West Ham United 2 - 2 West Bromwich Albion