Paul Pogba scored a long-range winner for the second time in every week as Manchester United got here from behind to beat Fulham 2-1 and transfer again to the highest of the Premier League on Wednesday.
Pogba created area for himself simply exterior the nook of the penalty space and bent a robust shot previous Fulham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola and into the far nook of the online within the sixty fifth minute.
Fulham had taken the lead within the sixth minute when Ademola Lookman slotted dwelling after beating United’s offside lure and operating clear by means of, just for Edinson Cavani to capitalize on a mistake from Areola to convey the guests stage.
Leicester — by beating Chelsea on Tuesday — and Manchester City — with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa hours earlier than kickoff of the Fulham-United match — had moved to the summit previously 24 hours, however United responded to drag two factors clear and tie the membership document of 17 Premier League away video games with out defeat, which was set by the treble-winning facet of 1999.
Fulham slipped to a second straight loss, with its winless run now stretching again eight video games to go away the workforce 4 factors from security.
Highlights:
Frank Anguissa was given time and area to show and play in Lookman, who gave Fulham the lead in a top-flight sport for the primary time since a 1-1 draw at Newcastle on Dec. 19.
The dwelling facet tried to maintain up its preliminary depth because the half continued, and was fast to shut down United’s gamers as they seemed to get ahead. But, within the twenty first minute, United discovered the equalizer simply moments after Bruno Fernandes hit the within of the publish.
Areola was unable to carry on to a cross from the left by Fernandes and spilled the ball into the trail of Cavani, who fired into an unguarded internet.
The Uruguay worldwide turned the primary United participant to attain his first 5 objectives for the membership away from dwelling.
Moments later, Areola was at full stretch to disclaim the guests a second, as he parried Fernandes’ effort away for a nook.
Fulham had the primary likelihood of the second half, with Lookman and Ivan Cavaleiro discovering Harrison Reed, however his fast shot from distance was over the bar.
In the sixty fourth, Areola was known as into motion to disclaim Anthony Martial from giving his facet the lead with a header after the United striker discovered area between two Fulham defenders.
After Pogba’s purpose, Fulham pressed for some extent and Ruben Loftus-Cheek was introduced with two alternatives late on, however one was saved by David De Gea and the opposite was fired properly over the bar.
Pogba volleyed in United’s purpose in a 1-0 win at Burnley final week, lifting his workforce into first place close to the halfway level of the season for the primary time in eight years.
Man City breaks down Villa’s resistance to win 2-0 in EPL
Manchester City’s Phil Foden celebrates after scoring his facet’s opening purpose throughout the English Premier League match between Manchester City and Aston Villa on the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Wednesday, Jan.20, 2021. (Martin Rickett/Pool through AP)
Bernardo Silva lastly broke Aston Villa’s resistance by scoring off Manchester City’s thirty sixth effort at purpose earlier than Ilkay Gundogan’s penalty sealed a 2-0 victory on Wednesday that prolonged the profitable run of the Premier League’s kind workforce to 6 matches.
An end-to-end match by which City misplaced Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker to accidents appeared to be heading for a draw, regardless of the house workforce’s dominance, when Silva obtained a move from Rodri and smashed dwelling a shot from the sting of the realm within the 79th minute.
The purpose was contentious as a result of Rodri was getting back from an offside place when he dispossessed Villa defender Tyrone Mings earlier than releasing Silva. No offside was given, although, with the officers seemingly feeling a brand new part of play had began when Mings managed the ball on his chest earlier than being picked off by Rodri.
Highlights:
Villa supervisor Dean Smith was despatched off for protesting towards the awarding of a purpose he described as “farcical” and “pathetic.”
“I said to the fourth official, David Coote, ‘Did you get juggling balls for Christmas?’” Smith mentioned, explaining when he was proven a crimson card by referee Jonathan Moss. “I don’t think any other manager would get sent off for that.”
Gundogan wrapped up the win within the ninetieth minute by changing a spot kick after Matty Cash raised his hand to dam a goalbound header from Gabriel Jesus.
City moved above Leicester to the highest of the league, though Manchester United can reclaim first place by beating Fulham later Wednesday.
It was Villa’s first league match since Jan. 1, after which there was a coronavirus outbreak within the squad that led to the coaching floor being closed. Villa reported that 9 gamers contracted COVID-19 in that interval however Smith was capable of area a full-strength lineup towards City, with the squad solely again in coaching since Sunday.