EPL: Man United Deepen City’s Crisis; Chelsea Close Gap On Liverpool
Manchester United staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Manchester City 2-1 at the Etihad, while Crystal Palace handed Brighton & Hove Albion their first home defeat of the season with a 3-1 victory at the Amex Stadium.
The win means City’s struggles continued as they recorded just one win in their last 11 matches, including eight defeats. The match started with City taking the lead through Josko Gvardiol’s header from a Kevin De Bruyne corner in the 36th minute, a moment that seemed to herald another disappointing day for United.
However, the narrative shifted dramatically in the final three minutes. Bruno Fernandes equalized for United with a penalty after Amad Diallo was fouled by Matheus Nunes, who attempted to rectify a defensive error. With the momentum firmly in their favor, Diallo then snatched a dramatic winner in the dying moments, finishing from a tight angle to send United fans into raptures.
This victory marked only Ruben Amorim’s second win in five league matches since taking over, and it lifted United to 12th in the table, just five points behind their city rivals. The loss left City in fifth place, nine points adrift of leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
Amorim’s decision to exclude key players Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho raised eyebrows, especially after Mason Mount limped off early in the match. Despite a shaky start, United’s resilience shone through when it mattered most, potentially signaling a turning point in their season.
In another gripping encounter, Crystal Palace secured a 3-1 victory over Brighton, marking the Seagulls’ first home defeat in the Premier League this season. Palace climbed to 15th place, four points clear of the relegation zone, thanks in part to a brace from Ismaila Sarr.
The match began energetically, with Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma coming close to scoring early on. However, it was Palace who struck first; Trevoh Chalobah’s close-range shot found the top corner in the 27th minute, following a well-executed corner from Will Hughes. Sarr doubled the lead shortly after, heading home a deep cross from Tyrick Mitchell.
Brighton fought back valiantly, with Dean Henderson making several crucial saves to deny their attempts. Despite a disallowed goal from Munoz and a late own goal by Marc Guehi, Sarr’s second goal sealed the win for Palace, leaving Brighton to ponder their missed opportunities.
Buoyant Chelsea moved within two points of leaders Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday as goals from Marc Cucurella and Nicolas Jackson earned them a 2-1 victory over neighbours Brentford.
Chelsea pushed Brentford back from the start but it was not until the 43rd minute that Spain fullback Cucurella raced into the area and dived athletically to head Noni Madueke’s cross past goalkeeper Mark Flekken.
Ten minutes from the full-time whistle Jackson squeezed the ball inside the near post for his ninth Premier League goal of the season after latching on to a pass from Enzo Fernandez.
Brentford always looked dangerous on the break and the ever-busy Bryan Mbeumo pulled a goal back in the last minute of regulation time to give Chelsea, now four points clear of third-placed Arsenal, a nervy finish.
