Arsene Wenger got the better of managerial rival Jose Mourinho for the first time in a competitive game as Arsenal beat Manchester United 2-0 in the Premier league on Sunday to keep alive its Champions league qualification hopes.
Granit Xhaka, with a deflected shot, and former United player Danny Welbeck, with a bullet header, scored goals in a four-minute span early in the second half to end United's 25-match unbeaten in the league dating to October.
This was the 16th competitive head to head between Wenger and Mourinho - and the 13th in league play - since 2004. It has been a one-sided rivalry but Wenger finally got a victory over the man who once dubbed him a "specialist in failure," for a result that might end United's chances of a top-four finish and leaves Arsenal with some hope.
"Finally, I leave this (Emirates) stadium with Arsenal fans happy," Mourinho said. "It's the first time I see them smile, enjoy."
Arsenal moved two points behind fifth-place United with a game in hand, and is seven points behind third-placed liverpool having played two games fewer and six behind fourth-placed Manchester City having played one game fewer. Wenger's team has four matches remaining to earn a 20th straight season in the Champions league.
"We still have a mathematical chance but we need some help," Wenger said. "But the best help we can get is by winning our own games."
A disappointing game burst into life in the 54th when Xhaka, afforded plenty of space in central midfield following a throw-in, advanced and sent in a 30-meter (yard) shot that struck the turned back of Ander Herrera and looped over goalkeeper David de Gea.
Welbeck, who was sold to Arsenal in 2014 to end a 13-year association with United, has now scored in each of his last three appearances against his old club after powering a header in off the bar in the 57th from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's cross.
Mourinho made eight changes to his starting team from the 1-0 win over Celta Vigo in the first leg of the Europa league semifinals on Thursday. The second leg is at Old Trafford on Thursday and Mourinho has suggested the European competition, which offers a place in the Champions league for the winner, is his priority for the remainder of the season.
"Of course, we knew we were not coming in our maximum power," Mourinho said. "Thursday is the match of the season."
It meant the 19-year-old Axel Tuanzebe was handed his Premier league debut, at right back up against Alexis Sanchez, and he performed excellently. Scott McTominay, a 20-year-old midfielder, came on as a second-half substitute for his first-team debut while Paul Pogba - the world's most expensive player - didn't even come off the bench.
United hasn't scored away to a top-six rival all season.
Arsenal will climb above United with a win at Southampton on Wednesday.
barca, madrid stay locked at top
BARCElONA: lionel Messi scored his 50th and 51st goals in all competitions to help Barcelona keep the pressure on Real Madrid in the Spanish league's tight title race on Saturday.
Neymar and luis Suarez also struck in a 4-1 victory over Villarreal that increased the combined goal tally of Barcelona's trio of star strikers to 102 in the campaign.
Barcelona's fifth straight win kept it level on points with Real Madrid, which even without Cristiano Ronaldo eased to a 4-0 victory at already relegated Granada.
Barcelona holds the tiebreaker over Madrid, but Madrid has three matches to play after this round to Barcelona's two. That means Madrid controls its own fate as it tries to dethrone Barcelona and lift its first liga title since 2012.
"We now have three finals left," Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said. "It doesn't matter what Barcelona does, we have to focus on our matches."
BARCElONA 4-1 VIllARREAl
Messi's goal on the last kick of the first half tilted a match that was wide open for the first 45 minutes in Barcelona's favor.
Neymar opened the scoring when he poked in a shot by Messi that hit a defender and fell to him in front of goalkeeper Andres Fernandez.
Soldado barely missed with a header on the other end before Neymar helped Messi reach the 50-goal mark for the fifth time in his career.
Suarez fired his goal under Fernandez in the 69th after Sergi Roberto set him up in the area.
Messi increased his league-leading haul to 35 goals when he converted a penalty in the "panenka" style, gently chipping the ball down the middle after the goalie moved.
GRANADA 0-4 REAl MADRID
With Ronaldo resting for the Champions league semifinals, a Madrid side full of second-choice players had no trouble dealing Granada a fifth loss in a row under new coach Tony Adams.
James Rodriguez needed three minutes to spark the rout and another eight to double the lead. Alvaro Morata took over, scoring twice more by the 35th.
Granada offered little resistance and only the woodwork denied lucas Vazquez adding to the demolition.