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Home  » Sports » EPL PHOTOS: United in entertaining draw with Chelsea; Arsenal top

EPL PHOTOS: United in entertaining draw with Chelsea; Arsenal top

Last updated on: December 29, 2015 09:57 IST
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Chelsea's Eden Hazard battles for the ball with Manchester United's Ashley Young during their Barclays English Premier League match at Old Trafford in Manchester on Monday

IMAGE: Chelsea's Eden Hazard battles for the ball with Manchester United's Ashley Young during their Barclays English Premier League match at Old Trafford in Manchester on Monday. Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Manchester United's winless run continued but they gave under-fire coach Louis van Gaal crumbs of cheer with a committed display in an entertaining 0-0 draw with Chelsea while Arsenal went top of the table on Monday.

Dutchman Van Gaal, whose tenure in the Old Trafford hot seat is under intense scrutiny after a Champions League exit and three successive league defeats, was afforded a warm reception by fans who have been critical of his team's lack of flair.

Chelsea's Thibaut Courtois saves an effort from Manchester United's Ander Herrera as Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta slides in

IMAGE: Chelsea's 'keeper Thibaut Courtois (left) saves an effort from Manchester United's Ander Herrera as Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta slides in. Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

United responded with attacking intent, striking the woodwork twice in the opening 16 minutes and both sides created good chances throughout.

Chelsea, playing their second game under interim manager Guus Hiddink after Jose Mourinho's sacking, wasted the game's best opportunity midway through the second half when Nemanja Matic raced clean through before blazing the ball wildly over.

United, now eight games without a win in all competitions, are sixth on 30 points while Chelsea are 14th on 20.

Arsenal's Gabriel (left) celebrates with his teammate Hector Bellerin (right) after scoring his team's first goal against Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium on Monday

IMAGE: Arsenal's Gabriel (left) celebrates with his teammate Hector Bellerin (right) after scoring his team's first goal against Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium on Monday. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Arsenal beat Bournemouth 2-0 with goals from Gabriel and Mesut Ozil to move on to 39 points from 19 Premier League games, one ahead of Leicester City who are at home to Manchester City, in fourth, on Tuesday.

Ozil created the opening goal for defender Gabriel and scored the second, continuing an impressive season during which he could create a record for assists.

He has laid on 16 goals and is closing in on the record of 20 set by former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry in 2002-03.

Watford's Valon Behrami is challenged by Tottenham's Nacer Chadli during their EPL match at Vicarage Road in Watford on Monday 

IMAGE: Watford's Valon Behrami is challenged by Tottenham's Nacer Chadli during their EPL match at Vicarage Road in Watford on Monday. Photograph: Matthew Childs Livepic/Action Images via Reuters

Earlier, Tottenham Hotspur rose to third after Son Heung-Min netted a late goal in a 2-1 victory at 10-man Watford while Marko Arnautovic's stoppage-time penalty gave StokeCity a 4-3 win at Everton.

Darren Fletcher's 78th-minute goal for West Bromwich Albion was enough to beat struggling Newcastle United 1-0 while Aston Villa's miserable season continued with the bottom side, marooned on eight points, going down 2-0 at Norwich City.

Crystal Palace and Swansea City drew 0-0.

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Source: REUTERS
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