Manchester City’s Premier League title defense suffered a major setback as Everton took a 1-1 draw against the champions, while Marcus Rashford reacted to his benching for missing a team meeting with the late attack that ended Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Wolves on Saturday yielded. . City needed a win at the Etihad Stadium to put pressure on Arsenal ahead of the leaders’ trip to Brighton in Saturday’s late game. But Pep Guardiola’s second-placed side squandered Erling Haaland’s lead as Demarai Gray scored a striking equalizer for struggling Everton.
City are four points behind Arsenal after failing to win for the second time in their last three league matches.
Haaland had scored eight goals more than the entire Everton team in their first 16 Premier League games this season.
And inevitably it was Haaland who put City ahead in the 24th minute with his 27th goal in 20 competitive appearances since moving from Borussia Dortmund.
Riyad Mahrez provided the assist with a dizzying run and a striking pass to the Norwegian striker, who relentlessly slid past Jordan Pickford.
Still, Everton equalized against the run of play in the 64th minute as Gray City midfielder Rodri robbed, smashed in from the right flank and curled a blistering attack into the top corner, buying under fire boss Frank Lampard some much needed breath. space.
As City struggled, their Manchester rivals survived an eventful day that began when United manager Erik ten Hag dropped Rashford over an “internal disciplinary” issue that broke “our rules”.
The 25-year-old’s exile only lasted until half-time when he was sent off by Ten Hag, a move that proved to be the catalyst for United to seal their fifth successive win in all competitions.
Rashford seemed determined to prove Ten Hag wrong as he charged through the Wolves defense to score his 11th goal in all competitions this season and his third in three appearances since the World Cup.
In a post-match televised interview, the England striker said he was disappointed to be left out after missing the meeting for overslept.
Rashford’s ‘correct answer’
But both Ten Hag and Rashford seem ready to bury the hatchet and move on.
“We draw a line under it and move on. I was a little late for a meeting. I overslept, but it can happen,” said Rashford.
“Of course it’s team rules. I made a mistake. Of course I’m disappointed that I’m not playing, but I understand the decision and I’m glad we won anyway. I think I’m in a good place.”
Ten Hag added: “It’s good after the decision. I think it often happens. He came smart, lively, scored a goal and that’s the right reaction.”
“Of course (that’s the point). Everyone has to play by the rules. This is the right answer.”
United moved up to fourth in the Premier League, two points above Tottenham, who have a game in hand as they look to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Third-placed Newcastle’s six-match winning streak came to a halt in a 0–0 draw against Leeds at St James’ Park.
Fabian Schar and Dan Burn squandered glorious chances to put Newcastle ahead, but Eddie Howe’s side are still in good form going into 2023 after their unexpected rise to the top four.
Joao Palhinha’s final goal sealed Fulham’s 2-1 win against Southampton, who are bottom of the table after a fifth successive defeat.
Andreas Pereira’s long-range strike was deflected off Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse for an own goal in the 32nd minute.
Ward-Prowse equalized with a superb free kick in the 55th minute, but Palhinha headed home from a corner kick in the 88th minute to win the match for Fulham, whose striker Aleksandar Mitrovic saw his stoppage time penalty saved by Gavin Bazunu.
Crystal Palace eased to a 2-0 win at Bournemouth as Patrick Vieira’s side ended their three match goal drought thanks to Jordan Ayew and Eberechi Eze.
(This story has not been edited by DailyExpertNews staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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