Samuel Chukwueze had a hand in Villarreal’s opening goal as they will head to the Emirates with a slim 2-1 win against Arsenal, in the Europa League first-leg semi-final in Spain on Thursday, Completesports.com reports.
The game was a reunion for Unai Emery and Arsenal whom he managed before he was replaced by Mikel Arteta.
Villarreal got off to the best start as they went 1-0 up in the fifth minute through Manuel Trigueros.
The Spaniard struck a first-time shot sweetly and beyond Bernd Leno after Chukwueze was allowed to run at the retreating Granit Xhaka before it fell for the scorer.
Raul Albiol doubled Villarreal’s lead on 29 minutes after ghosting in behind Thomas Partey and netted with a simple close-range finish.
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Arsenal were handed a lifeline after they awarded a penalty following a foul on Pepe but Villareal players protested for a handball in the build-up which was confirmed after VAR and the decision was overturned.
In the 57th minute things went from bad to worse as Dani Ceballos was sent off for a second bookable offence.
The Real Madrid loanee received his second booking after making contact with Dani Parejo’s ankle after the Spaniard had gone to ground in a sliding challenge.
Arsenal got a vital away goal on 73 minutes thanks to a penalty converted by Pepe after Bukayo Saka was fouled inside the box.
With 10 minutes left in the game Villarreal were also reduced to 10 men due to Etienne Capoue’s sending off.
And at Old Trafford, Manchester United staged a dramatic second half fightback to trounce Roma 6-2 and put a foot in the final.
Bruno Fernandes put United in front on nine minutes but goals from Lorenzo Pellegrini, from the penalty spot on 15 minutes and Edin Dzeko on 34 minutes, saw Roma go into the break 2-1 up.
But United came back a different team in the second half and scored five goals through Edinson Cavani (48, 64 minutes), Fernandes (penalty 71 minutes), Paul Pogba (75 minutes) and Mason Greenwood (86 minutes).
Both Europa League semi-finals will come up next week Thursday.
By James Agberebi
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COMMENTS
At least the boy is finding his rthyme now
its either i score or i have a goal involvement
Thats consistency
Chukwueze vs Saka. Chukwueze assisted goal; Saka manufactured Penalty for goal.
Do we really need Saka in our SE? What is he doing differently?
I off my mic!