Manchester United fought again for a dramatic 2-1 win towards Manchester Metropolis that left their arch-rivals fuming over a controversial VAR choice to permit Bruno Fernandes’ equaliser, whereas troubled Liverpool crashed to a shock 3-0 defeat at Brighton on Saturday.
On a dramatic day of Premier League motion, Everton boss Frank Lampard was pushed nearer to the sack as his struggling aspect have been crushed 2-1 by relegation rivals Southampton.
With simply 12 minutes left at Previous Trafford, United have been trailing to Jack Grealish’s sixtieth minute header within the season’s second Manchester derby.
However Metropolis’s title defence suffered a harmful blow as Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes equalised in vastly debatable style earlier than Marcus Rashford bagged United’s 82nd minute winner.
Fernandes’ purpose was the turning level and Metropolis boss Pep Guardiola and his gamers have been seething after the flag went up for offside when Rashford ran on to Casemiro’s cross.
Rashford didn’t contact the ball and was deemed by VAR to not have interfered with play, however Metropolis have been adamant the England ahead clearly distracted the defenders and goalkeeper Ederson.
Manchester United’s English striker Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring the group’s second purpose through the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Manchester Metropolis at Previous Trafford in Manchester, northwest England, on January 14, 2023.
| Photograph Credit score:
AFP
“The primary purpose is a joke that it may be allowed,” Metropolis defender Manuel Akanji instructed BBC Sport.
“He runs for 30 metres, he is chasing the ball. Within the state of affairs, I performed him (Rashford) offside. I perceive he does not contact the ball, however for me it’s clearly offside.”
Guardiola insisted there was little question Rashford’s run impacted the reactions of Akanji and Ederson.
“The choice is the referee’s, the VAR, however our defenders make a line for Rashford,” he mentioned.
“If we all know it is Fernandes we do not make the road, we comply with the motion, and after the motion the interference for Ederson.”
Third positioned United at the moment are only one level behind second positioned Metropolis, who’re at risk of shedding substantial floor within the title race this week.
A win for leaders Arsenal at north London rivals Tottenham on Sunday would put the Gunners eight factors clear.
Whereas Metropolis splutter, United are in nice kind following their ninth successive victory in all competitions.
Requested if they’re within the title race, boss Erik ten Hag mentioned: “The followers could dream however we aren’t. We’ve got improved, that’s apparent. There’s nonetheless a protracted strategy to go.”
Dismal Liverpool in ninth
Liverpool’s hopes of salvaging a prime 4 end from a troublesome marketing campaign suffered a significant hit as Brighton swept to victory on the south-coast.
After dominating the primary half with out making the breakthrough, Brighton deservedly took the lead within the forty seventh minute.
Joel Matip carelessly surrendered possession to Alexis Mac Allister and he discovered Kaoru Mitoma, whose cross was completely weighted for the unmarked Solly March to faucet in.
Liverpool have been in disarray and 6 minutes later, March crashed a nice end into the far nook from simply inside the realm.
Danny Welbeck wrapped up the victory, flicking March’s cross over Joe Gomez and volleying dwelling.
Overwhelmed at Brentford of their earlier league sport, Liverpool are languishing in eighth place, seven factors adrift of the highest 4, and look a shadow of the group that just about gained the quadruple final time period.
Different outcomes
Liverpool’s Merseyside rivals Everton are in much more dire straits after Southampton’s 2-1 win at Goodison Park.
Everton’s board of administrators didn’t attend the sport due to a “actual and credible menace to their security”.
Everton chief govt Denise Barrett-Baxendale was reportedly manhandled by a fan and had her automobile attacked after final week’s 4-1 dwelling defeat by Brighton.
Everton have gained solely one in every of their final 13 matches in all competitions and banners and flags calling for the board to depart have been unfurled earlier than kick-off.
Southampton fell behind within the thirty ninth minute as Amadou Onana headed dwelling from Demarai Grey’s nook.
However lower than two minutes into the second half, James Ward-Prowse collected Che Adams’ knock-down on the sting of the realm and drilled Southampton’s equaliser.
Ward-Prowse inflicted larger ache within the 78th minute when he whipped one in every of his trademark free-kicks previous Jordan Pickford.
Southampton stay backside of the desk however they’re now behind second backside Everton solely on purpose distinction
West Ham fill the ultimate place within the backside three after a 1-0 defeat at Wolves that noticed the hosts transfer above the hapless Hammers.
Daniel Podence netted within the forty eighth minute to depart West Ham with out a win of their final seven league video games.
Brennan Johnson struck twice as Nottingham Forest beat midlands rivals Leicester 2-0 on the Metropolis Floor.
