Man Utd continue winning run under Carrick, Villa slump to defeat
Manchester United’s Benjamin Sesko struck deep into stoppage time in a dramatic 3-2 Premier League victory over Fulham on Sunday, as the home side continued their resurgence under interim boss Michael Carrick.
The win propelled United to fourth place in the standings on 41 points and added another statement result to Carrick’s reign, coming after wins over Manchester City and leaders Arsenal. Fulham fell to eighth.
United led 2-0 after goals from Brazilians Casemiro in the 19th minute and Matheus Cunha in the 56th. But Fulham battled back with Raul Jimenez scoring from the penalty spot in the 85th and then Kevin celebrated what he thought was the equaliser in the 91st minute.
But Sesko had the Old Trafford crowd roaring in the fourth minute of stoppage time after Bruno Fernandes touched the ball past Fulham’s Calvin Bassey and then picked out the Slovenian striker in the box for him to smash it into the top corner.
Elsewhere, new signing Tammy Abraham had a goal ruled out as Aston Villa’s title challenge stuttered again on Sunday with a shock 1-0 defeat at home by Brentford, who had to play more than half the game with 10 men after Kevin Schade got a straight red card.
Abraham, who spent a period on loan at Villa during the 2018/19 season and rejoined from Turkish club Besiktas on January 26, had a great chance to score in the 15th minute of his return, but Brentford keeper Caoimhin Kelleher kept cool and averted the danger.
Schade was sent off in the 42nd minute after engaging in a tussle with Matty Cash and digging his studs into the Villa defender but Dango Outtara gave the visitors the lead in stoppage time, snapping up the rebound from his initial attempt to put the ball across the box and rifling it into the top corner.
Abraham thought he had levelled early in the second half but a VAR review found that the ball had gone out for a throw-in in the build-up and the goal was chalked off, condemning Villa to a defeat that leaves them third on 46 points, seven behind leaders Arsenal. Brentford are seventh on 36 points.
In Nottingham, Nottingham Forest were reduced to 10 men and conceded a penalty to Crystal Palace, but the visitors were still left frustrated after Sunday’s 1-1 Premier League draw that extended their winless streak to 12 matches in all competitions.
Relegation-threatened Forest, 17th in the standings, led after five minutes as Morgan Gibbs-White netted from close range when Palace defenders failed to clear Ola Aina’s long throw.
Palace pushed for the equaliser and their sustained pressure paid off late in the first half, when Jefferson Lerma’s header beat the goalkeeper but Forest defender Neco Williams used his hand to keep it out, leading to a straight red card.
Ismaila Sarr converted the resulting penalty and Palace looked to exploit their numerical advantage after the break. However, they did not take their chances as Will Hughes shot over the bar early in the second half and Brennan Johnson headed wide from a cross after the hour mark.
Christantus Uche also shot wide in the 71st minute as Palace, who had 66% of the possession and more shots, had to settle for a draw.
Forest, unbeaten in their last four league games, moved six points clear of the relegation zone, staying three points below Palace.