Man United thrash Saints 9-0, Ronaldo double helps Juventus edge Inter

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Manchester United equaled the biggest win in Premier League history as they crushed nine-man Southampton 9-0, while Arsenal had two players sent off in their defeat at Wolves on Tuesday.

Rampant United scored four times in the first half after Southampton's teenage midfielder Alexandre Jankewitz was dismissed in the second minute at Old Trafford.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side hit five more after the break, tying them with Leicester's 9-0 win at Southampton in 2019 and United's own 9-0 victory against Ipswich in 1995.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka's goal opened the floodgates and Marcus Rashford bagged United's second. Jan Bednarek's own goal made it three for the hosts before Edinson Cavani added the fourth.

The goals kept coming as Anthony Martial and Scott McTominay netted before Bruno Fernandes' penalty after Bednarek was sent off. Martial and Daniel James scored in stoppage-time to complete an incredible display by United.

"We've been waiting for them to show the magic and it was a night for them to go and enjoy it. We've not had many times where we could just enjoy the second half," Solskjaer said.

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl added, "It was a stupid foul from the young lad (Jankewitz) and kills everything. What can I say? It's horrible."

After the frustration of their shock defeat against Sheffield United and dour draw at Arsenal, the demolition job was a much-needed boost to their title bid.

United's first victory in three league games means they are behind leaders Manchester City only on goal difference. Pep Guardiola's team have two games in hand, including one at Burnley on Wednesday.

Manchester United's Edinson Cavani (C) is tackled by Southampton Kayne Ramsay during their Premier League clash at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, February 2, 2021. /CFP

A seven-game unbeaten league run had propelled Arsenal back into contention for a return to the Champions League next season and they could have moved to within five points of the top four after Nicolas Pepe's strike opened the scoring at Molineux.

But David Luiz's third red card in two seasons as an Arsenal player for clipping Willian Jose on the stroke of half-time turned the game around.

Ruben Neves converted the resulting penalty before Joao Moutinho's stunning long-range strike early in the second half put goal-shy Wolves in front. Goalkeeper Bernd Leno then rounded off a miserable night for the visitors when he was also dismissed for handling outside his box.

A much-needed victory for Wolves ended an eight-game winless run and takes them 12 points clear of the relegation zone. Nuno Espirito Santo's men also completed a first league double over Arsenal in 42 years.

Arsenal remain in 10th, eight points adrift of fourth-placed Leicester, having played a game more.

Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring a goal during their Coppa Italia clash with Inter at San Siro in Milan, Italy, February 2, 2021. /CFP

Elsewhere, Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Juventus came from behind to beat Inter Milan 2-1 at the San Siro in their Italian Cup semi-final first leg.

Record 13-time winners Juve will be favorites to reach a sixth final in seven years when they bid to complete the job in the return game in Turin next Tuesday.

"This is just the first leg, we haven't achieved anything yet," Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo told RAI Sport. "What this does prove is that if we are fully concentrated, it becomes difficult for anyone against us."

Inter, who beat Juventus 2-0 last month in Serie A, have it all to do to keep their hopes of lifting a first Italian Cup since 2011 alive.

"It was an important match, the Serie A game showed Inter are far from an easy side to face," Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot said. "The tie isn't over yet, there's another leg to go and that will be even tougher than this one."

Holders Napoli host Atalanta in the second last-four first leg on Wednesday.

(CGTN)