[ad_1]
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (Getty Images)
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer acclaimed From Manchester United progress over the past year after a 2-1 conquer Aston Villa brought them to the level in points with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.
A year ago, United lost 2-0 at Arsenal to remain 24 points behind the English champions, having played two more games.
Another season competing only for a top four finish was expected for Solskjaer’s men after winning just two of their first six league games.
But like all the other contenders have stumbled in recent weeks, the Red Devils have now taken 26 of a possible 30 points to mount an unexpected title challenge.
“Of course we are happy with what we are doing. We have shown that we have improved a lot in one year,” Solskjaer said.
“We are getting fitter and stronger and stronger.”
Bruno Fernandes has been the key figure in transforming United’s fortunes over the past 12 months and the Portuguese again provided the winner to overtake a rapidly improving Villa.
Solskjaer’s team needed a winner in the 93rd minute to beat the Wolves on Tuesday, but this time they were much quicker on blocking.
Anthony Martial forced Emiliano Martínez to make an excellent save to his left within 10 minutes before Fred, Paul Pogba and Fernandes all fired off target.
The breakthrough came five minutes before the break and was largely due to Pogba’s ingenuity with the Frenchman finally beginning to find his way despite speculation about his future.
Pogba and Marcus Rashford combined to send Aaron Wan-Bissaka free down the right and his cross was driven home by Martial at the near post.
Villa was on a five-game unbeaten streak to earn a spot in the top six and showed why with his start in the second half when United were forced to back down.
Jack Grealish was once again at the heart of the best work of all the visitors going forward and it was from his center that Bertrand Traore tied.
However, Dean Smith’s men quickly undid their good work when a gentle challenge from Douglas Luiz over Pogba was deemed enough for a penalty by referee Michael Oliver.
Fernandes’ near-perfect penalty shootout record continued as he placed the penalty just out of reach for Martinez for his 15th goal of the season.
United needed a big save from David De Gea to deny Matty Cash and a valiant block from Eric Baily in stoppage time to hold on and Solskjaer is not swayed by talks about the title fight ahead of a trip to Liverpool in two weeks ‘. time.
“It is early in the season and we must not get carried away,” added the Norwegian. “The league this season is going to be very close.
“There will be tough games, weird results, but since ‘Project Restart’ I think we’ve been very consistent.”
Earlier, Everton missed a chance to get within a top two point when they were beaten 1-0 at home by West Ham.
The Toffees failed to beat a West Ham team playing their third game in six days and were punished when Tomas Soucek brought home the winner four minutes from time.
“It was not a good match,” said Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti.
“We had no chances and we didn’t grant chances, they had a lucky detour and we lost the game. We were able to play with more intensity and more quality up front.”
David Moyes’ men had the toughest holiday schedule in the Premier League in terms of rest and he said there has been a change of mind with the Hammers this season to fight adversity.
“The players have played three games in six games, they’re incredible,” said Moyes, who won for the first time as a visiting coach at Goodison Park, where he made a name for himself in 11 years at Everton.
“I don’t think there is any difference in the fitness levels, so there is a lot of recognition for the players, there has been a big change in mentality here at West Ham.”
The victory took West Ham three points from third place, although they remain in 10th place in a tight Premier League table.
