Cunha rescues Manchester United in Leeds draw, Arsenal stretch lead with victory

Matheus Cunha saved Manchester United from a rare defeat against fierce rivals Leeds as the Brazilian's equaliser salvaged a 1-1 draw at Elland Road on Sunday.

Rubem Amorim's side trailed to Brenden Aaronson's second half strike before Cunha dragged them level moments later.

In a bitter rivalry keenly felt among two feuding fan-bases, Leeds have now gone eight matches without a win over United since an FA Cup triumph at Old Trafford in 2010.

United's failure to take all three points cost them a chance to move into the Premier League's top four.

Amorim's men sit in fifth place after winning just one of their last five league games.

After a disappointing 1-1 draw against lowly Wolves on Tuesday, this was another frustrating result for United.

Daniel Farke's team moved eight points clear of the relegation zone after extended their impressive unbeaten run to seven matches.

Still without injured captain Bruno Fernandes, Amorim sent United out in his preferred 3-4-2-1 shape after finally tinkering with his much-derided tactics for the recent win over Newcastle, then revering to type against Wolves.

Amorim's chopping and changing is especially intriguing against the backdrop of his comment that he is starting to realise United's sporting directors might give him the right players for his system.

On a bitterly cold afternoon in Yorkshire, Leeds thundered into a series of bone crunching tackles a bid to seize the momentum in the opening minutes.

Leeds hadn't beaten United at Elland Road since 2002 and the urgency to end that drought meant there was little sign that they had 48 hours less than their opponents to recover from their previous match.

Despite their attempts to rattle United, it was the visitors who took control amid the sound and fury in the stands.

Benjamin Sesko should have put United ahead from Casemiro's pin-point pass, but the striker hesitated too long, allowing Pascal Struijk to make a vital block.

Diogo Dalot scuffed high over the bar from a good opportunity inside the Leeds area.

Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin was inches away from breaking the deadlock with a glancing header that cannoned off the far post from Anton Stach's cross.

Leny Yoro was denied by Lucas Perri's superb save after the United defender nodded goal-wards from Casemiro's header into the six-yard box.

United keeper Senne Lammens had to be alert to keep out Gabriel Gudmundsson's low drive at the near post after the interval.

But teenage defender Ayden Heaven's lack of experience was exposed when Leeds went in front after 62 minutes.

Heaven was far too casual when Leeds played a long ball over the centre-back and Aaronson took full advantage, accelerating into the United area before sweeping a clinical finish past Lammens.

Amorim responded by sending on Joshua Zirkzee, a move that proved inspired as he played a crucial role in United's 65th minute equaliser.

Zirkzee slipped a perfectly weighted pass towards Cunha and the Brazilian stretched to poke past Perri from 12 yards.

It was Cunha's third goal in his last five games as he finally emerges from a poor start to life with United after his summer move from Wolves.

Noah Okafor's overhead kick was palmed away by Lammens before the out-of-form Sesko wasted a good chance at the other end.

Zirkzee's cutback found the Slovenian just eight yards from goal but he shot narrowly wide.

Cunha's curler clipped the post in the closing stages to leave United exasperated.

Meanwhile, Arsenal fought back from a goal down to beat Bournemouth 3-2 on Saturday, stretching their lead at the top of the Premier League as Aston Villa extended their winning run at home.

A goal from Gabriel Magalhaes and two from the returning Declan Rice sent the Gunners six points clear of second-placed Villa and seven ahead of Manchester City.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised the character of his team, singling out Rice and Gabriel, whose sloppy pass set up Bournemouth for the opening goal.

"I love the character of Gabriel, the way he overcome that situation -- it's just unbelievable, it says a lot about how much we've grown," he told Sky Sports.

"The team found a way to beat them and it's a massive win."

The Spaniard said that Rice had worked hard to be available after missing Tuesday's 4-1 home win against Villa with a knee problem.

"He has stretched himself to the very limit and the team were awarded with two great goals," he added.

Evanilson gave impressive Bournemouth an early lead, stroking home after Gabriel's error but the Brazil defender made up for his mistake just minutes later, converting after Noni Madueke's drive to the byline.

England midfielder Rice side-footed the Gunners ahead in the 54th minute from the edge of the area and gave them breathing space with about 20 minutes to go, producing a low finish from substitute Bukayo Saka's cutback.

Junior Kroupi brought Bournemouth back into the game with a thunderous right-footed finish but Arsenal held on for a fifth straight Premier League win -- keeping them firmly on course for a first English title since 2004.

Earlier, Unai Emery's Villa bounced back from their chastening defeat at Arsenal to beat Nottingham Forest 3-1, recording their 11th consecutive home win in all competitions.

England forward Ollie Watkins gave Villa a deserved lead on the cusp of half-time with a powerful strike from just outside the area and John McGinn scored twice in the second half, either side of a Morgan Gibbs-White goal.

Villa boss Emery said his players and coaching staff had held a meeting after their drubbing at the Emirates Stadium.

"I am so happy," he said. "We had to recover our energy and our confidence. Here, at Villa Park, the energy we create was really important.

"Forest are competitive. After the Arsenal match we met -- the players and staff -- (and discussed) how we are doing this season, how we are feeling, how we needed to keep the same consistency as before, how we needed to be together and strong."

Sean Dyche's Forest, who have now suffered four straight league defeats, remain one place above the relegation zone, four points clear of West Ham, who slumped to a damaging 3-0 loss at Molineux.

Relegation-threatened West Ham travelled to face winless basement club Wolves in desperate need of a victory.

Jhon Arias gave the home side an early lead and Hwang Hee-chan doubled their advantage from the penalty spot shortly after the half-hour mark.

Teenager Mateus Mane drilled in his first Premier League goal shortly before half-time, all but guaranteeing Rob Edwards's team a first league win of the season.

Nuno Espirito Santo's Hammers are in danger of being cut adrift at the bottom of the Premier League along with Wolves and Burnley.

"Everybody needs to think and reflect and question ourselves," Nuno said. "It's about actions. It's been very bad, very bad."

Wolves, who drew with Manchester United in midweek, remain 12 points from safety.

"We have been improving and progressing and you saw that today," Edwards told the BBC. "It is another step in the right direction, that is all it was and it is nice it has culminated in a win."

Elsewhere on Saturday, Brighton beat Burnley 2-0 to end a six-match winless run, courtesy of goals from Georginio Rutter and Yasin Ayari.

City host managerless Chelsea on Saturday while Liverpool and Manchester United are also in action.

Agencies