[ad_1]
Bruno Fernandes (Getty Images)
United manchester moved level in points with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League after Bruno Fernandes’ penalty Aston Villa 2-1 in an entertaining clash at Old Trafford.
Anthony Martial’s header five minutes before the break was just the reward for a brilliant start from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men, but Bertrand Traore’s draw stopped them just before the hour.
Yet just three minutes later, United’s talisman Fernandes won the game from point of view after Paul Pogba flipped inside the box.
Another season vying for a top four result was expected for United 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.
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.
Martial forced Emiliano Martínez to make an excellent save to his left within 10 minutes before Fred, Pogba and Fernandes all fired just 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 back at the center of the visitors ‘best work going forward and it was from his center that Ollie Watkins’ header produced an excellent reflex save from David De Gea.
From Grealish’s next dangerous delivery, Villa deservedly tied, as this time Traore took a bunt and edged out De Gea.
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.
Pogba should have rounded out a promising performance by sealing the points when he veered off to the side when he was not marked inside the area before more heroics from Martinez denied Fernandes a double by turning the Portuguese’s fierce effort on the crossbar.
And United needed a big save from their own goalkeeper in injury time to hold on when De Gea jumped to his right to deflect Matty Cash’s long-range effort.
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 didn’t put any effort on 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.
