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As it happenedended

Manchester United see off Cardiff to start Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era with a win

Latest reaction from the Premier League fixture at the Cardiff City Stadium

Harry Latham-Coyle
Saturday 22 December 2018 15:03 EST
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants permanent Manchester United job

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's reign as Manchester United caretaker manager began with a convincing 5-1 win at former club Cardiff.

The 45-year-old took over earlier this week after Jose Mourinho was sacked on Tuesday following United's poor start to the Premier League season and saw his side stroll past the Bluebirds with plenty to spare.

The Cardiff City Stadium result is the first time United have scored five goals in the Premier League since Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge, and it keeps Solskjaer's side in sixth place.

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37 minutes

More injury woes for Unai Emery.

Nacho Monreal is grimacing as he is replaced, and Arsenal lose yet another centre-back option.

Stephan Lichtsteiner comes on, and there'll be a reshuffle.

A back-three - Lichtsteiner, Sokratis, Granit Xhaka - is the new defensive system.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 13:08

40 minutes

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang can't thread a pass through to Alexandre Lacazette as Kevin Long slides back well.

It is again Ashley Barnes and Sokratis in close proximity as Burnley break, with the latter hauling down the former. Barnes seems on the verge of a violent reaction and potential second yellow as Sokratis clings on, but just about keeps his cool.

The Greek is cautioned. Those two will have to be careful.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 13:11

42 minutes

Ben Mee will take the free kick...

Atrocious. His chipped pass down the middle floats into Bernd Leno's hands with no Burnley player even within ten yards of the German goalkeeper. 

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 13:12

44 minutes

Arsenal have lost their fluency as this game has become increasingly scrappy.

Ben Mee nearly offers them a chance, throwing caution to the wind in foolish fashion as he charges forward, but Kevin Long covers well to intervene on Alexandre Lacazette.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 13:15

45 minutes

Two additional minutes signalled at the end of the first half.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 13:15

Not the best half of football, and one that worsened as it continued, but Arsenal do have a 1-0 lead thanks to a lovely team goal from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 13:17

Arsenal lead a Premier League game at half-time for the first time this season, but they've had to scrap for it.

Both teams started with a flurry of chances, and Burnley won't be too worried to be a goal behind. They'll always threaten from balls into the box, and have looked relatively stout defensively, barring a few individual errors.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 13:23

​The second half kicks off at the Emirates Stadium. 

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 13:32

46 minutes

A long ball down the Burnley right is well won by a fast-arriving Bernd Leno on the edge of his box.

Chris Wood's attempt to win the ball finds only Leno's midriff, and the striker is somewhat harshly booked as Leno receives treatment.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 13:34

GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Burnley (Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 48 minutes)

Two for Aubameyang!

A flowing counter-attack begins when Jack Cork fails to get his shot away on the edge of the Arsenal box.

Sead Kolasinac is again the man in space thundering down the line and the Bosnian is well found by Matteo Guendouzi.

Kolasinac looks inside where Alexandre Lacazette is also left alone by the scrambling Burnley defence, and the Frenchman in turn finds Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang peeling away to the right.

Aubameyang lashes home past Joe Hart with the benefit of the slightest of touches off Ben Mee to double Arsenal's lead.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 13:34

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