Sunday’s action in gameweek 22 of the Premier League campaign saw wins for Everton and Manchester United. Here is what happened in those games at Goodison Park and Wembley:
Everton grind out a win over Bournemouth
Everton recorded a 2-0 victory over Bournemouth at Goodison Park, as the Toffees ended a poor run of recent form.
Bournemouth started the game far brighter than the home side. In fact, the Cherries came close to opening the scoring on 13 minutes, as Josh King outmuscled Kurt Zouma to find David Brooks who advanced on Jordan Pickford on to hit the base of the post.
Pickford also produced a save from a Junior Stanislas free-kick, before diminutive Everton winger Bernard headed over with a rare Toffees attack in the first period. Marco Silva’s side produced a far more lively display in the second period. Richarlison was unlucky to see a low effort cleared off the line by Cherries centre-back Nathan Ake.
The home side did break the deadlock just after the hour mark. Lucas Digne produced a superb cross and Zouma rose the highest to head home past Asmir Begovic in the visitor’s goal. Richarlison missed a couple more chances, as the Brazilian endured a frustrating day in front of goal.
Josh King also missed the target from inside the Everton area. Everton sealed maximum points deep into stoppage-time, as good play from Ademola Lookman led to the ball reaching substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who produced a good finish past Begovic.
The victory moved Everton back into the top half of the table, while Bournemouth remain 12th place, three points the visitors.
United’s good form continues at Spurs
United started brightly, but it was the home side who saw the first attempt on goal, as midfielder Harry Winks dragged an effort wide of goal. The visitors then took control of the match, with Jesse Lingard firing over at the back post their first attempt on goal.
Marcus Rashford also saw an effort comfortably saved by Hugo Lloris after a good team move involving Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba. The Red Devils threatened the home goal again on 18 minutes, Lloris produced a good near-post save from Martial after a good run from the Frenchman.
The home side mounted a response through Harry Kane, who saw an effort blocked by Phil Jones before having a goal ruled out through offside. However, United scored the decisive goal just before the break.
Paul Pogba produced a fantastic long-range defence-splitting pass to Rashford, who advanced on Lloris and produced a superb finish past the Frenchman. Tottenham came out strong in the second period, as David De Gea denied Harry Kane with his feet before the Spaniard produced another fine save this time from Dele Alli on his goalline.
Lloris then produced two saves from compatriot Pogba, first keeping out a header before tipping a lobbed effort on to the roof of the net. Kane headed straight at De Gea from a corner kick just prior to the half-hour mark, as the home side continued to push for an equaliser. The Spaniard also kept out efforts from Alli (twice), Toby Alderweireld and Kane. In the end, the north London side just could not find a way past De Gea in the United goal.
The victory moved the visitor’s level on points with fifth-place Arsenal, six points outside the top-four. Despite their recent good form, the Red Devils are still outsiders to make the Champions League spots this season.
Can Manchester United still make the top-four this season?
