Manchester United has tightened their grip on second place in the Premier League courtesy of a 2-1 win over Liverpool at Old Trafford on Saturday.
The 170th league meeting between the arch-rivals was decided by a Marcus Rashford brace, netting twice in 10 first-half minutes to move the Red Devils five points clear of their opponents.
Eric Bailly sent the ball into his own net 24 minutes from time to give Liverpool hope, but the in-form Merseysiders failed to register any further attempts as they fell to just a third defeat in 28 matches.
Rashford scored his first goal of the match from the first attempt of any note at either end, nodding Romelu Lukaku’s flick-on into his path before cutting inside Trent Alexander-Arnold and firing home with his right foot.
Goal number five of the Premier League campaign for Rashford soon became six, and it was another composed finish from the youngster as he swept home the loose ball after Lukaku’s through-ball was cut out.
The Englishman’s second goal came moments after Virgil van Dijk had squandered a big chance at the other end of the field, failing to make proper contact with a corner when swooping in from five yards out.
That would prove to be the Reds’ only real opportunity in the first half, managing just a couple of weak shots from range through Roberto Firmino.
United could well have been home and dry before the interval, as Juan Mata sent an overhead kick narrowly wide at the end of a flowing move when he had time to first bring the ball under control.
Van Dijk found the roof of the net with his latest headed effort and James Milner sent a shot wide from distance as frustration started to creep in.
Ashley Young was then a little fortunate to avoid giving away a penalty after dragging back a quiet Mohamed Salah inside the box, and Antonio Valencia likewise when Andrew Robertson’s cross struck his arm.
Following another quiet spell in the game, the whole mood around Old Trafford completely changed with a quarter of the game to go as Sadio Mane’s cross was diverted into his own net by Bailly.
The centre-back, who passed a fitness test to start the game, got his intended clearance horribly wrong near the front post, using his calf to become just the seventh player to beat David de Gea here this season.
Liverpool saw plenty of the ball in the remainder of the match but could not create any further chances, with United successfully navigating the seven minutes of added time for another crucial home win.
Trending
- Student caught bullying mate on camera in Abuja school + Video, photos
- Alake commends Nasarawa for securing mining sites
- TCN towers vandalised along Jos-Gombe 330KV transmission line
- Atiku visits suspended Sen. Ningi, says National Assembly, others must be strengthened
- Jonathan backs state police, says commercial kidnapping’ started in 2006 in Niger Delta
- Babcock University provides details on Law Professor shot dead at relaxation centre
- Chamber speaks on report Nigerians denied access to Chinese supermarket
- NERC transfers regulatory oversight of Enugu electricity market to state