2016 Premier League 2: Monday's U23 Results, Latest Rankings, Updated Schedule
A single goal decided Arsenal and Manchester United's Premier League 2 clash when Ro-Shaun Williams' header helped the Red Devils beat the Gunners 1-0 at the Leigh Sports Village on Monday.
United's reward was to move back above Chelsea and Reading into sixth spot in Division One, while Arsenal remain rooted in ninth.Ā Speaking of movers, Manchester City moved into second after thrashing Southampton 3-0 at Staplewood.
Leicester City also earned a big win, while Chelsea were held to a point after a fractious 2-2 draw at home to Derby County.
Here are the scores from Monday's matches:
| Team | Score | Team |
| Aston Villa | 1-2 | Swansea City |
| Fulham | 2-1 | Newcastle United |
| Leicester City | 2-0 | Tottenham Hotspur |
| Manchester United | 1-0 | Arsenal |
| Norwich City | 0-1 | Wolverhampton Wanderers |
| Southampton | 0-3 | Manchester City |
| West Bromwich Albion | 1-0 | Blackburn Rovers |
| Chelsea | 2-2 | Derby County |
Here's what those results mean for the standings:
| Position | Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goal Difference | Points |
| 1 | Everton | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 18 |
| 2 | Manchester City | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 17 |
| 3 | Liverpool | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 16 |
| 4 | Southampton | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 14 |
| 5 | Sunderland | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 12 |
| 6 | Manchester United | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | -1 | 12 |
| 7 | Chelsea | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 10 |
| 8 | Reading | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | -5 | 10 |
| 9 | Arsenal | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | -8 | 7 |
| 10 | Leicester City | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -7 | 6 |
| 11 | Tottenham Hotspur | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | -8 | 6 |
| 12 | Derby County | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | -6 | 5 |
| Position | Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goal Difference | Points |
| 1 | Swansea City | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 18 |
| 2 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 16 |
| 3 | West Bromwich Albion | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 15 |
| 4 | West Ham United | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 14 |
| 5 | Fulham | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 12 |
| 6 | Blackburn Rovers | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 11 |
| 7 | Aston Villa | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | -1 | 10 |
| 8 | Newcastle United | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | -5 | 10 |
| 9 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 8 | 1 | 5 | 2 | -1 | 8 |
| 10 | Stoke City | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -3 | 8 |
| 11 | Middlesbrough | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -3 | 8 |
| 12 | Norwich City | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | -8 | 6 |
Here are the upcoming fixtures:
| Date | Time (BST / ET) | Match |
| Friday, October 28 | 12 p.m. / 7 a.m. | Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester United |
| Friday, October 28 | 1 p.m. / 8 a.m. | Leicester City vs. Reading |
| Friday, October 28 | 7 p.m. / 2 p.m. | Arsenal vs. Sunderland |
| Friday, October 28 | 7 p.m. / 2 p.m. | Manchester City vs. Liverpool |
Recap
Arsenal were under strength thanks to their upcoming EFL Cup duty against Reading. With senior boss Arsene Wenger fond of refreshing his ranks in the competition, several talented prospects were working with the first team this week.
Manager Steve Gatting's midfield was depleted with Jeff Reine-Adelaide, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Gedion Zelalem and Chris Willock all out. Striker Chuba Akpom and utility defender Krystian Bielik were also unavailable.
Still, Gatting selected some precocious youths, including playmakers Ismael Bennacer and Vlad Dragomir, per the club:
Meanwhile, United fielded a solid starting XI, according to the club:
But manager Warren Joyce was forced into a late change:
It was one of United's two promising defenders who gave the home side the lead whenĀ Williams headed home from a corner. The junior Red Devils merited their one-goal advantage at the break.
Arsenal had been working the ball well in midfield but posing little threat up top. By contrast, although United weren't as accomplished in possession, they stayed threatening on the break.
Yet there was a blow for Joyce's side when Williams' fellow defender, Axel Tuanzebe, limped out of the game in the second half. Even so, United did not lose their stride and continued to break with menace.
Both full-back Joe Riley and midfield schemer Matthew Willock went close, as the home side upped the pace after the break. At the other end, attacking midfielder Savvas Mourgos had Arsenal's best chance of the night, but United defender Regan Poole made an excellent block.
Down on the south coast, City put pressure on leaders EvertonĀ after thumping Southampton 3-0. Paolo Fernandes scored twice while Brahim Diaz also got on the sheet, as slick and incisive City emphatically won the battle between third and fourth.
In London, Chelsea turned around their game with Derby County, thanks to substitute Dujon Sterling. He tore into the Rams to inspire two goals in as many second-half minutes.
First, he won a penalty Jay DaSilva converted. Then, Sterling was involved in the build-up to Ike Ugbo's goal.
Those finishes wiped out Callum Guy's opener. However, Derby weren't behind for long. In fact, defender Farrend Rawson soon equalised.
Things got better for the visitors when Chelsea were reduced to 10 after DaSilva received a second yellow card inside the final 20 minutes.
But the real plus point for the Blues was the return to action of talented French centre-back Kurt Zouma following a lengthy injury layoff. The 21-year-old got some valuable minutes under his belt, per the club:
Having first-team talent on the pitch paid dividends for the Foxes against Spurs. In particular, dynamic winger Demarai Gray proved the difference after netting a goal and supplying an assist in the second half.
Gray joined summer signing Bartosz Kapustka and Ghanaian wide man Jeffrey Schlupp in a strong Leicester lineup, per the club:
It was Gray who tormented the visitors from north London from the off. His pace, skill, vision and eye for goal frequently gave defenders problems.
Gray consistently stretched the Spurs defence:
Yet for all Gray's brilliance, he couldn't make the breakthrough until late in the second half. His goal was worth the wait when it came, though, as the former Birmingham City prospect powered past his markers to slot the ball in just shy of the final 15 minutes.
Buoyed by his finish, Gray turned provider roughly six minutes later when he whipped a corner onto the head of Elliott Moore.
Gray has the talent to play more minutes with the Premier League champions. He will surely have caught senior manager Claudio Ranieri's eye after this dominant display.
In Division Two, leaders Swansea City won to stay on top, while Wolverhampton Wanderers also moved up a spot, leapfrogging West Ham United into second. Fulham, Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion also won.
Arsenal will hope to rebound against Sunderland next time out, while City will look to continue their assault on the title by seeing off fellow contenders Liverpool.
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