Newcastle hold Arsenal, ManU keep winning

LONDON (AP):

NEWCASTLE DIDN’T get the win but held Premier League leader Arsenal scoreless in a 0-0 draw between title challengers yesterday.

The Gunners have scored in every other league game this season en route to what is now an eight-point lead over Manchester City, who play at Chelsea tomorrow.

The draw at Emirates Stadium allowed both teams to extend unbeaten runs in league play. Newcastle’s streak rose to 13; Arsenal’s to 11.

Arsenal started strong but faded and rarely threatened to penetrate the defence of third-place Newcastle. The Magpies have the best defensive record in the league, conceding only 11 times.

The match featured few chances but produced eight yellow cards and a brief exchange of words between managers Eddie Howe and Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta.

Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope made a save to deny Eddie Nketiah a late winner.

Both teams next play FA Cup games against third-division opponents. Arsenal are at Oxford United next Monday night. Newcastle visit Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday and then host Leicester on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the League Cup.

In the meantime, Marcus Rashford scored for a fourth consecutive game as Manchester United eased to a 3-0 win over Bournemouth.

Casemiro and Luke Shaw had already netted for United before Rashford added the third on his return to the team after being dropped against Wolverhampton for oversleeping and missing a meeting.

United ended the night only one point behind Manchester City, who they play on January 14.

Yesterday’s EPL Results

Leicester City 0-1 Fulham

Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle

Everton 1-4 Brighton

ManU 3-0 Bournemouth