Rooney strike earns Man U vital win over Arsenal

An own-goal from Kieran Gibbs and a strike from Wayne Rooney earned Manchester United a 2-1 win over Arsenal, who managed to earn a late consolation goal through Olivier Giroud, at the Emirates.

The Red Devils suffered an early injury blow when Luke Shaw was forced off with an ankle problem, before Jack Wilshere clashed with Marouane Fellaini following a tussle over the ball.

The second half resumed with Arsenal testing David De Gea with a number of shots.

However, it was United who went in front after Gibbs deflected Antonio Valencia’s shot past the stranded Wojciech Szczesny in the 56th minute.

And United were far from done despite playing second fiddle for most of the game, with Rooney clipping the ball over sub keeper Emiliano Martinez to double his side’s advantage six minutes from time.

Giroud fired home a scorcher deep into added time, but could not prevent his side losing their first home match of the season.

Chelsea kept up title hopes after easily beating 10-man West Bromwich Albion 2-0 with Diego Costa scoring his 11th league goal of the season.

Costa volleyed home from a cross from Oscar in the 11th minute at Stamford Bridge and Eden Hazard doubled the lead in the 25th after a corner from Cesc Fabregas.

Any hopes of a West Brom comeback were ended when Claudio Yacob was given a straight red card for a challenge on Costa in the 29th.

Manchester City returned to winning ways with a hard-fought victory over Swansea.

The champions had to come from behind after Wilfried Bony had given the visitors an early lead, but goals from Stevan Jovetic and Yaya Toure secured a vital 2-1 victory for Manuel Pellegrini’s men.

Everton extended their unbeaten run to five matches after holding on to beat West Ham at Goodison Park.

Romelu Lukaku scored the opener from close range after Ross Barkley’s deflected shot fell into the his path.

The Hammers got back into the game when Mauro Zarate’s shot looped off Phil Jagielka and over Tim Howard’s head.

Everton retook the lead from a West Ham corner.

Lukaku raced cleared before being taken out by James Collins. The ball broke for Samuel Eto’o and, with Mark Clattenburg playing advantage, the ex-Cameroon international squared for Leon Osman to tap home the winner.

Leicester City survived late Sunderland pressure to prevent Gus Poyet’s from leaving the King Power Stadium with more than a point.

Sunderland, sitting three points above the Foxes towards the wrong end of the table, will be more satisfied with the outcome.

The draw means Poyet has seen his side avoid defeat in the last three matches, claiming five points from a possible nine ahead of next Saturday’s meeting with league leaders Chelsea at the Stadium of Light.

Leicester edged out of the bottom three, but are without a goal in 500 minutes of football.

Newcastle secured their fifth successive league win courtesy of Moussa Sissoko’s second-half strike as the Magpies continue to soar up the table to the 5th position.

Sissoko’s strike was enough for Alan Pardew’s side, who were lying bottom of the log back in September.

Danny Ings struck twice in the space of a minute to move Burnley off the bottom of the table as they claimed their second successive victory.

The Clarets secured their first win in the top flight at the 11th attempt at home to Hull City a fortnight ago and they were victorious again against Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.

Ings scored in both the 12th and 13th minutes and his side then defended superbly to hang on for all three points, despite Jonathan Walters pulling a goal back before half time.