Football
Rob Dawson, Correspondent 6y

Jose Mourinho calls David De Gea 'best goalkeeper in world' after heroics

Jose Mourinho hailed David De Gea as the best goalkeeper in the world after the Spain international's heroics helped Manchester United to a 3-1 win at Arsenal.

De Gea made 14 saves at the Emirates Stadium -- matching the most in a Premier League game -- to ensure United left North London with a vital victory in the title race.

Arsenal's 33 shots were the most allowed by one of England's "Big Five" clubs in last seven seasons, but they had only Alexandre Lacazette's goal to show for their efforts thanks to De Gea's brilliance.

"I told him after the match what I saw today was the best goalkeeper in the world," Mourinho told BT Sport. "In big matches you need goalkeepers to be there for you when the team needs [them]."

De Gea was asked afterwards whether it was the best performance of his career, but the 27-year-old told BT Sport: "It's a win and I think all the team defends really well for the 90 minutes. It was a difficult game. I'm really happy.

"We scored two quick goals but at the end of the first half we lost control of the game. In the second half they scored the first goal and [then with] the sending off of Paul [Pogba], it was difficult."

Two goals from Jesse Lingard and one from Antonio Valencia handed Mourinho his first away win over a top-six rival since taking over at Old Trafford.

The one negative was Pogba's dismissal in the second half, which rules the France international out of next weekend's derby with Manchester City.

Mourinho, though, was keen to praise his players for a result that closed the gap at the top of the table to five points ahead of Manchester City's meeting with West Ham at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

He said the performance had been so impressive that he could not think of enough superlatives, adding: "I think it was a phenomenal game.

"I loved the way my team played and fought, but I have also to say that Arsenal played in some periods amazing attacking football.

"But I have to say that my players deserve all the great words -- I don't know so many more in English. Amazing, phenomenal, fantastic. They deserved three points.

"Of course, they can say they had chances but we fought and we had a great goalkeeper too and I think we deserved it."

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