Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League and ensured the title race will go to the final day with victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The Gunners delivered an unconvincing display against a severely depleted United side but did enough to secure the win that puts them one point ahead of Manchester City having played a game more.

Leandro Trossard struck after 20 minutes when lazy defending from struggling veteran Casemiro played Kai Havertz onside and his cross was turned in by the Belgian at the near post.

United showed plenty of endeavour but suffered from a glaring lack of quality and never seriously tested Arsenal keeper David Raya, as their own hopes of European football next season faded further.

Arsenal must now hope north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur do them a favour by getting a result at home to Manchester City on Tuesday.

The Gunners host Everton in their final game of the season next Sunday, while City are at home to West Ham.

Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe chose to cast another eye over Erik ten Hag’s struggling side rather than travel to Wembley to watch United win the Women’s FA Cup for the first time.

It is hard to work out what Ratcliffe would have learned from watching another home defeat – other than it simply re-affirming the size of the job he has on his hands lifting this fallen football giant.

United’s squad, hardly fit for purpose when all players are available, was stripped of key assets such as captain Bruno Fernandes, who watched from the directors’ box with a pained expression.

Ten Hag, his smart suit soaked by a torrential downpour amid a thunderstorm that hit Old Trafford late on, will point to his lack of resources – and rightly so on this occasion.

But the fact United were unable to cause Arsenal keeper Raya any serious problems was a sobering lesson in the current state of the Red Devils.

Kobbie Mainoo tried to galvanise the hosts’ midfield while Alejandro Garnacho ran tirelessly out wide, but it was a tough afternoon for young striker Rasmus Hojlund, who got very little change out of Arsenal defensive duo William Saliba and Gabriel.

United are a club that needs a reboot and re-invigoration and – while this was not the day to make judgements on Ten Hag – it is becoming increasingly difficult to see how the Dutchman can be part of the new era and structure under Ratcliffe.

The elation of Arsenal’s fans at this vital win was not dampened by the storm that arrived in Manchester just before the final whistle as skies darkened and lightning flashed around the stadium.

Arsenal know Manchester City’s fate still lies in the champions’ own hands and two wins against Spurs and West Ham will take a fourth successive title to Etihad Stadium.

Mikel Arteta’s side, however, have done all they can and two hazardous-looking fixtures – away to Spurs in the north London derby and here at United, where they have suffered before – have been safely negotiated.

No matter that this was an Arsenal display lacking their usual fluency – at this stage of the season the only currency that counts is wins and the visitors did the job.

Once again Trossard made the difference with a trademark swoop at the near post ahead of Casemiro and Aaron Wan-Bissaka for the decisive moment.

Arsenal will now hope Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou is as good as his word and they can somehow raise themselves to upset City.

The Gunners still have a chance of their first title in 20 years going into the final game of the season – and they would have happily settled for that in August.

BBC

The Kogi state government says some students abducted from the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTEC) Osara have been rescued.

The government said the kidnappers “succumbed to superior firepower and escaped with gun wounds”. 

On May 9, gunmen invaded the university and abducted students who were preparing for their examinations.

The state government had said nine students were missing after the attack.

Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi, had visited the institution and assured parents of his commitment to rescue the students.

Ododo had also said closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed in the school were switched off on the night of the attack.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Kingsley Fanwo, information commissioner, said some of the students have been rescued by a joint team of security operatives and hunters.

Fanwo did not release the specific number of students rescued.

William Aya, police spokesperson in Kogi, told TheCable on Sunday morning that 14 students have been rescued.

“This is to inform the general public that some of the students abducted by gunmen at the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara have been rescued safely by local hunters and other security agents,” the statement reads.

“Local vigilante men and security agents engaged the kidnappers in a fierce shootout and the kidnappers succumbed to superior firepower and escaped with gun wounds, leaving the kidnapped students who also ran in different directions to avoid being caught up in the fire exchange.

“Many of the students kidnapped and even other people in captivity have been rescued and taken to medical facilities for proper attention, while many others were also rescued in the early hours of today.”

He said a hunter and DSS operative sustained injuries during the firefight with the kidnappers, adding that they are receiving medical attention.

Fanwo said security agents are “currently combing the forests” to rescue the remaining students in captivity.

Tobi Amusan ran a world-leading 12.40 seconds (0.9m/s) to win the 100m hurdles at Saturday’s inaugural Jamaica Athletics Invitational in Kingston.

The world record holder claimed the win ahead of Danielle Williams, the world champion who ran a season’s best 12.46 seconds, and American Christina Clemons who was third with 12.54 seconds.

The Nigerian has now taken over the world lead from American Tonea Marshall who had run 12.42 seconds in late April.

Amusan’s latest win comes two months before the Paris 2024 Olympics.

John Enoh, the minister of sports development, took to X to congratulate the pace-setter over the feat.

“Tobi, you keep making our country proud. Paris Olympics is around the corner, your performance gives us hope just like others, that Nigeria is set to break a jinx. Keep soaring, we are proud of you,” the minister’s post reads in part.

The 26-year-old recently set a new African record of 7.77s in the 60m hurdles event at the Astana Indoor Meet in Kazakhstan, breaking the 25-year-old record held by Gloria Alozie.

She is expected to spearhead the Nigerian contingent’s hopes for gold medals at the Olympics set to commence on July 26 at France’s national stadium.