Premier League: Rashford dazzle in United’s win over City; Brighton deepens Liverpool’s woes
Manchester United came from behind to record a 2-1 victory over Manchester City at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
Jack Grealish sent the Citizens ahead on the hour, but Bruno Fernandes levelled the scores in the 78th minute before Marcus Rashford netted the winner in the 82nd minute of the contest.
The victory is Man United’s ninth in a row in all competitions, and it has moved them into third position in the table, just one point behind second-placed Man City.
Erik ten Hag’s side are also now only six points behind leaders Arsenal, with the 20-time English champions triumphing in their last five league fixtures, while Man City sit five points off the summit, with the Gunners in action against Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby on Sunday.
The first chance of the match came in the 11th minute when Christian Eriksen found Fernandes inside the Man City box, but the attacker’s effort was just wide of the far post.
Anthony Martial then looked for Rashford inside the away side’s box following a fast break, but Joao Cancelo was on hand to make a vital challenge, with the Red Devils the team on the front foot.
Erling Braut Haaland’s first sight of the Man United goal came in the 24th minute, but the striker’s effort was closed down by both Casemiro and Raphael Varane.
Rashford had a brilliant chance to send the home side ahead in the 33rd minute when he raced onto a through pass before rounding Ederson, but the attacker was just crowded out by Man City defenders, with Kyle Walker making the block to prevent the hosts from taking the lead.
Rashford had another opportunity in the 37th minute when he raced down the left past Rodri before arriving into the Man City box, but the Englishman’s final touch was just too heavy, which allowed Ederson to come out and make the block.
There was concern over Rashford when he went down holding his hip late in the first period, but the forward was able to continue, completing the first half, which finished goalless.
Walker did come close to sending Man City ahead late in the first period, but the right-back’s effort from distance just missed the post.
Man United made a change at the interval, with Antony entering the field for Martial, who was a doubt ahead of the Manchester derby due to a leg issue.
Bernardo Silva had one deflected into the arms of De Gea early in the second period, before Ederson did brilliantly to keep out an effort from Raphael Varane down the other end, although the offside flag would have prevented the goal from standing, had it found a route into the back of the net.
Man City had another positive moment when Kevin De Bruyne advanced down the right before delivering a cross towards Riyad Mahrez, but the attacker’s header was cleared, before the visitors had two penalty shootouts through Phil Foden and then Joao Cancelo.
Foden was then replaced by Grealish in the 57th minute, and the England international scored three minutes after entering the field, heading a De Bruyne cross into the back of the net from close range.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka saw one deflected wide of the Man City post in the 67th minute, before Man United had the ball in the back of the away side’s net in the 78th minute through Fernandes, who swept the ball into the bottom corner to level the scores.
The offside flag was initially raised for Rashford, but the Englishman did not touch the ball, so the goal was allowed to stand, with the Red Devils able to find an equaliser at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag’s side then took the lead in the 82nd minute through Rashford, with the forward firing the ball through the legs of Ederson after meeting a low cross from Alejandro Garnacho.
Haaland wanted a penalty in the 86th minute following a challenge from Casemiro, but VAR were happy with the referee’s call, much to the frustration of the team in blue.
As expected, Man City put the pressure on in the latter stages, but Man United, who introduced Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay and Lisandro Martinez in stoppage time, managed to hold on to claim a huge three points in the Manchester derby.
Next up for Ten Hag’s side in the league is a trip to Crystal Palace on Wednesday, while Man City will continue their league campaign against Tottenham on Thursday.
A win for leaders Arsenal at north London rivals Tottenham on Sunday would put the Gunners eight points clear.
While City splutter, United are in fine form following their ninth successive victory in all competitions.
Liverpool’s hopes of salvaging a top four finish from a difficult campaign suffered a major hit as Brighton swept to victory on the south-coast.
After dominating the first half without making the breakthrough, Brighton deservedly took the lead in the 47th minute.
Joel Matip carelessly surrendered possession to Alexis Mac Allister and he found Kaoru Mitoma, whose cross was perfectly weighted for the unmarked Solly March to tap in.
Liverpool were in disarray and six minutes later, March crashed a fine finish into the far corner from just inside the area.
Danny Welbeck wrapped up the victory, flicking March’s pass over Joe Gomez and volleying home.
Beaten at Brentford in their previous league game, Liverpool are languishing in ninth place, seven points adrift of the top four, and look a shadow of the team that nearly won the quadruple last term.
Liverpool’s Merseyside rivals Everton are in even more dire straits after Southampton’s 2-1 win at Goodison Park.
Everton’s board of directors did not attend the game because of a “real and credible threat to their safety”.
Everton have won only one of their last 13 matches in all competitions and banners calling for owner Farhad Moshiri to sell up were unfurled before kick-off.
Amadou Onana gave Lampard’s men the lead, but James Ward-Prowse struck twice for Southampton and thousands of Everton fans staged a sit-in protest after the final whistle.
Southampton remain bottom of the table but they are now behind second bottom Everton only on goal difference.
West Ham fill the final place in the bottom three after a 1-0 defeat at Wolves that saw the hosts move above the hapless Hammers.
Nottingham Forest beat Leicester 2-0, while Brentford defeated fourth bottom Bournemouth 2-0.
