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The second part of Premier League gameweek 18 produced wins for Manchester United and Liverpool on Sunday. Here is the highlights of what took place:
West Brom 1-2 Manchester United
The Red Devils headed into the clash as major favourites for the clash and took the lead on 27 minutes. Marcus Rashford showed good feet before firing in a cross for Romelu Lukaku to brilliantly glance past Ben Foster in the Baggies goal. The 24-year-old barely celebrated his goal against his former club. The goal was the striker’s tenth in the Premier League since his big money from Everton in the summer.
Jose Mourinho’s team made it two on 35 minutes. Jesse Lingard hit an effort that Foster looked to have covered until it deflected off Baggies defender Ahmed Hegazi and found its way into the net.
After showing very little going forward in the first period, the Baggies produced a better display in the early stages of the second half. The home side looked to be back in the game on 77 minutes, as substitute Gareth Barry tapped home from inside the penalty area after a slight goalmouth scramble.
The home searched for an equaliser. However, United held on to cut the gap between themselves and league leaders back to 11 points. The home side looked to be in major trouble, as they are now second from bottom, but are just two points from safety.
The Baggies have now failed to win in their last 16 Premier League outings. They face a potentially crucial clash at fellow strugglers Stoke on Saturday. The game now looks to be an early-season six-pointer for both sides.
In the later Premier League kick-off on Sunday, Liverpool produced a sublime attacking display to see off Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
The Reds took the lead on 20 minutes, as Philippe Coutinho took a few touches inside the area before firing past Asmir Begovic at his near post. Jurgen Klopp’s side doubled their lead six minutes later.
Roberto Firmino did superbly to keep the ball alive at the far post and hook it back into the area, and defender Dejan Lovren stopped to head home past Begovic.
Mohamed Salah got in on the act the just before half-time. The Egyptian beat Cherries full-back Charlie Daniels before advancing into the area and prodding the ball into the far corner.
The goal was Salah’s 14th top-flight goal of a highly prolific debut campaign for the Merseyside club. The strike was also the winger’s 20th goal in all competitions this season.
The visitors wrapped up the points on 66 minutes, Coutinho fired a shot towards goal, only for Firmino to produce a glancing header to beat Begovic at his near post.
The victory moved the Reds back up to fourth place in the Premier League, back above both Arsenal and Burnley. Bournemouth meanwhile are 16th in the table, just a point above the drop zone after a run of six top-flight games without a victory for the Cherries.
Who produced the most impressive displays in Sunday’s Premier League action?
