Manchester United moved level on points with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League when Bruno Fernandes’ penalty kick came off Aston Villa 2-1 in a clash at Old Trafford.
Header Anthony Martial five minutes before the break was just a reward for a clear start with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men, but they were brought back by a Bertrand Traore equalizer just before the hour mark.
Just three minutes later, however, the United Fernandes talmanman won the game from the spot after Paul Pogba was thrown inside the area.
Another season was just vying for a top-four finish looking in store for United after they had just won two of their opening six league games.
But like all other rivals in the last few weeks, the Red Devils have now taken 26 from 30 points that could add up to an unbeaten title challenge. expectation.
Solskjaer ‘s side needed a 93rd minute winner to beat the Wolves on Tuesday, but they were much quicker out of the blocks this time around.
Watch European Football with beIN SPORTS and ESPN on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your free 14-day trial & start streaming immediately>
Martial had Emiliano Martinez save high on his left side within 10 minutes before Fred, Pogba and Fernandes fired efforts just off target.
The break came five minutes before the break and relied heavily on Pogba’s ingenuity with the Frenchman starting to find shape despite the speculations about his future.
Pogba and Marcus Rashford came together to put Aaron Wan-Bissaka down the right side and his cross went home with Martial at the near post.
Villa had unwittingly run five games themselves to earn a place in the top six and showed why with their start in the second half when United were brought back.
Jack Grealish was once again at the heart of the visitors’ best work going on and it was from his cross that boss Ollie Watkins made a neat relegation from David De Gea.
From Grealish’s dangerous next delivery, Villa deserved to be balanced with this time Traore grabbed a grip and slipped low past De Gea.
However, Dean Smith’s men quickly put off their good work as a soft challenge from Douglas Luiz on Pogba was considered enough for a penalty by referee Michael Oliver.
The penalty sheet followed Fernandes ’near-perfect as he slotted the kick-spot straight out of Martinez’s reach for his 15th goal of the season.
Pogba should have completed a promising performance by sealing the points when he scored a straight leg when he was marked inside the area before more Martinez heroes denied a double to Fernandes during the turn. is Portugal ‘s strong effort at the crossroads.
And United needed a huge save from their own keeper in stoppage time to hang on as De Gea approached his right to turn Matty Cash’s long-range effort behind him.
There is a hammer just on the edge of Everton
1:11
EVERTON LACK ‘QUALITY’
Earlier, Everton missed the opportunity to close close within a point of the top two as West Ham beat them 1-0 at home.
The Toffees failed to put themselves in action on the side of West Ham playing their third game in six days and were punished when Tomas Soucek sent the winner home four minutes from time.
“It wasn’t a good game,” said Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti. “We didn’t have chances and we didn’t take chances, they had a lucky challenge and we lost the game. We could play with more intensity and more quality beforehand. ” David Moyes ’men had the strongest tournament record in the Premier League in terms of peace and he said there has been a change of heart with the Hammers this season to fight through turmoil.
“The players have played three games in six games, they are amazing,” said Moyes, who won for the first time as goal manager at Goodison Park, where he made a name in 11 years above Everton.
“I don’t think there was any difference in the fitness levels so great for the players, the mindset here at West Ham has changed dramatically. Victory led West Ham to three points in third place, although they are still 10th in a tight Premier League record.