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MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2021 Man Utd draw blank again at Chelsea Bale stars for Spurs • Arsenal hit back to beat Leicester • Fulham held at Palace

LONDON: Manchester United were left ness earlier in February, took just 68 frustrated by a VAR penalty controversy seconds to score with a clinical close- in their 0-0 draw at Chelsea, while the range finish from Son Heung-min’s revitalized struck twice in cross. In the 15th minute, Bale’s superb Tottenham’s 4-0 rout of Burnley yester- long pass picked out ’s run day. Second-placed United had hoped to and the England captain’s shot deflect- close the gap on Manchester City with a ed off James Tarkowski for his 22nd victory at Stamford Bridge. But instead goal of the season. they now sit 12 points behind the Lucas Moura netted with a predatory leaders as their title finish after Sergio Reguilon’s cross was hopes fade following a run of one win deflected into the Brazilian’s path by from four games. Tarkowski in the 31st minute. Bale, in his Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is second spell with Tottenham after leav- unbeaten in nine matches in all competi- ing for Madrid in 2013, scored again with tions since replacing the sacked Frank a cool strike from Son’s 55th-minute Lampard, but the stalemate was a blow pass. Tottenham are up to eighth, six to his team’s top-four challenge. The points behind the top four with a game fifth-placed Blues are one point behind in hand. fourth-placed West Ham and four ahead “Sometimes you (the media) like to of sixth-placed Liverpool, who visited say things that are not really true but Sheffield United in yesterday’s late game. there is not one single manager in the Neither side could claim they world that doesn’t play Gareth Bale if deserved to win in a game of few clear- Gareth Bale is in very good condi- cut chances. The biggest talking point tion,” Mourinho said. “There is not came in the first half when United’s one, but now he is better than ever. appeal for a penalty was rejected by ref- It’s not just about the two goals he eree Stuart Attwell after he consulted the scored, it’s fundamentally about his pitchside monitor when Callum Hudson- physical performance.” Odoi appeared to handle in a challenge with Mason Greenwood. Arsenal down Leicester LONDON: Chelsea’s English midfielder Mason Mount (center) runs with the ball during the English Premier League football match After five defeats in their previous six Arsenal delivered a hammer blow to between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge yesterday. — AFP league games, Tottenham eased the Leicester’s faint hopes of winning the pressure on Jose Mourinho with a signif- title with an impressive 3-1 win. Mikel League’s top three since 2015. Europa League as his side’s only hope Greece. After the gamble paid off, Arteta icant contribution from Bale, who made Arteta’s side fell behind to Youri Leicester remain in third place and of qualifying for next season’s said: “Coming into this game I was con- just his third league start of the season. Tielemans’ early goal at the King Power trail City by 13 points with 12 games Champions League. cerned. They’re one of the most danger- The Wales forward’s most impressive Stadium, but equalized and remaining. After Thursday’s shock Having picked his best team for the ous teams in the league to play once you display since his season-long loan move Alexandre Lacazette’s penalty gave Europa League exit against Slavia come-from-behind win against Benfica go behind against them. “The reaction from Real Madrid gave him four goals in Arsenal the lead. Nicolas Pepe’s second- Prague, it was a week to forget for in the last 32 second leg on Thursday, was terrific, the team looked really his last four appearances. half goal sealed the Gunners’ second win Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers. Arteta left Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang mature.” Third-bottom Fulham are three Bale, who had clashed with in their last six league games and their With Arsenal stuck in mid-table, and Bukayo Saka on the bench after the points from safety after a 0-0 draw at Tottenham boss Mourinho over his fit- first success at a team in the Premier Arteta has prioritized winning the long trip back from the neutral venue in Crystal Palace. — AFP