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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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52 minutes

Arsenal can ill-afford more injury issues so Unai Emery will be a relieved man as both Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Matteo Guendouzi are soon back on their feet after taking knocks.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 13:39

54 minutes

Sead Kolasinac is full of running this afternoon.

Granit Xhaka can't find him with a curling pass down the line, but the Bosnian is willing to test Phil Bardsley in behind at every opportunity.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 13:41

55 minutes

Arsenal fortunate!

Burnley work a free kick routine as Arsenal try to play offside, stepping up in unison.

They have done it well and all the Burnley players have gone too early, but the flag does not go up, and had Chris Wood's touch been better he would have simply slotted home.

As it is, Arsenal manage to recover and concede a corner. Lucky.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 13:44

57 minutes

Ashley Barnes does need to be careful, perhaps leaving a stamp on Matteo Guendouzi after fouling the Frenchman but escaping a second yellow card.

He then fires some distance over the bar from 25 yards. It might be start for Sean Dyche to take the frustrated Austrian off.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 13:45

59 minutes

A change does come, but it is one for Arsenal rather than Burnley.

Mohamed Elneny is replaced by Lucas Torreira, who we are told has been suffering from a cold, hence his spot on the bench,

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 13:46

60 minutes

Things are just getting a little bit heated.

Jack Cork leaves a foot in on Matteo Guendouzi, and Ben Mee fells Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to concede a free kick in a dangerous area.

Mesut Ozil and Lucas Torreira stand over it...

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 13:47

61 minutes

Torreira it is who strides towards the ball, but that's awful. High and wide.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 13:48

GOAL! Arsenal 2-1 Burnley (Ashley Barnes, 63 minutes)

Burnley back in it!

Twice the visitors launch balls into the Arsenal box, and from the second Ashley Barnes profits.

Lucas Torreira's attempted clearance ricochets over to Barnes lurking on the left, and the Austrian flays the ball past Bernd Leno with considerable disdain.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 13:50

66 minutes

Here come Arsenal again.

It is Sead Kolasinac once more powering free and squaring, but his cross is just behind Alexandre Lacazette, who is unaware that Mesut Ozil is well-placed behind him and thus tries to control.

Burnley smuggle the ball away.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 13:53

68 minutes

Mesut Ozil takes a corner short with the box loaded and twice has it returned to him in crossing position, but opts to ignore his waiting teammates and play the ball backwards on both occasions.

Curious decision-making.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 13:56

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