Manchester United’s shambolic season took another turn for the worse in a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth as Liverpool went top of the Premier League after Sunday morning [AEDT].
Jurgen Klopp admitted Liverpool were fortunate to win 2-1 at 10-man Crystal Palace after Jordan Ayew’s harsh red card changed the game late on.
Liverpool’s victory in the day’s early kick-off gave them a one-point lead over second placed Arsenal, who blew the chance to regain top spot later as they crashed to a 1-0 defeat at surging Aston Villa.
Third placed Villa’s club record 15th consecutive home league victory lifted them to within two points of the leaders.
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VILLA’S HISTORIC CHARGE CONTINUES
At Villa Park, Unai Emery’s side completed a memorable week by following Thursday’s 1-0 victory against champions Manchester City with another statement success against the team who started the weekend in first place.
John McGinn’s seventh minute goal proved decisive as the Scotland midfielder controlled Leon Bailey’s pass before turning to drill a powerful finish past David Raya from close-range.
There was late VAR drama when Kai Havertz’s goal was disallowed for handball as the Arsenal forward bundled it over the line in stoppage-time.
It was a sweet moment for Villa boss Unai Emery, who was sacked by Arsenal after less than two seasons in charge in 2019.
The Spaniard has revitalised Villa since arriving from Villarreal last season, with four wins in their last five league matches giving fans hope of a first title since 1981.
Arsenal’s first defeat in five league games was a frustrating setback after their recent march to top spot.
LIVERPOOL STAR SLAMMED AS ‘LUCKY’ REDS SNEAK HOME
At Selhurst Park, Liverpool fought back to maintain their own title challenge. Palace were denied a first-half penalty by a VAR intervention but were awarded a spot-kick early in the second period as VAR spotted a foul on Jean-Philippe Mateta by Jarell Quansah.
Mateta converted the penalty, but the Eagles were undone by two controversial yellow cards shown to Ayew.
Ayew’s first indiscretion came as he was ruled to have prevented Virgil Van Dijk from taking a quick free-kick, having not been positioned the required distance of ten yards apart.
Ayew then was given second yellow moments later for fouling Harvey Elliott as the Liverpool star looked to counter attack.
“This is another hard one to take for us, I am gutted for the players and how the game panned out,” Palace boss Roy Hodgson said after the match.
“The red card was unbelievably harsh, the fouls committed by both teams was more or less the same and I do not think we deserved nine yellow cards, even if I probably deserved mine.
“It is saddening for me to see how hard the boys worked and come away with nothing.
“Van Dijk took the opportunity to get him booked by kicking the ball at him from a few yards away. That’s very disappointing. Liverpool do not need players of that quality and status trying to get an opposition player a yellow card.
“The second one was a good challenge, and if you deem that a challenge, which it could be, then it was not a yellow card offence.
“We are talking too much about the referees and days like today show that when I do leave this game behind, I won’t be missing it.”
Liverpool took advantage of the red card within seconds as Mohamed Salah’s deflected shot brought up his 200th goal for the club.
Substitute Harvey Elliott then fired home a 91st-minute winner from outside the box to take Liverpool a point clear of Arsenal at the top of the table.
“I’m a very happy manager in this moment, but I know we were lucky as well,” said Klopp. “For 76 minutes it was a really bad performance.”
UNITED CRASH TO NEW LOW
United’s season hit a new low as Bournemouth secured their first ever victory at Old Trafford in style.
Erik ten Hag’s men had risen to sixth thanks to six wins in eight Premier League games.
But a dreadful display put the Dutchman’s position back under the spotlight ahead of a likely exit from the Champions League at the group stage in midweek.
Dominic Solanke put Bournemouth in front after just five minutes when he turned home Lewis Cook’s cross.
Solanke hit the post and Antoine Semenyo came close as Bournemouth continued to have the better of the chances.
But they had to wait until 68 minutes to double their lead when Philip Billing rose to head home Marcus Tavernier’s cross.
Marcos Senesi then set the seal on a famous victory as Andoni Iraola’s men moved 10 points clear of the relegation zone thanks to a fourth win in five games.
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At the bottom of the table, Chris Wilder kickstarted his second spell in charge of Sheffield United with a 1-0 win over Brentford.
James McAtee scored the only goal as the Blades’ second victory of the season edged them to within two points of safety.
Burnley remain off the bottom on goal difference after holding on for a 1-1 draw at Brighton.
Wilson Odobert put the Clarets ahead, but Simon Adingra rescued a point for Brighton, who remain eighth.
Nottingham Forest eased the pressure on manager Steve Cooper by ending a four-game losing streak with a 1-1 draw at Wolves.
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