Both Manchester clubs United and City were in Premier League action on Sunday and both recorded vital wins to help them achieve their respective aims. Here is what happened in Sunday’s potentially crucial matches:
Red Devils scrape win against the Foxes at the King Power Stadium
Manchester United recorded a 1-0 victory at Leicester to aid their chances of finishing in the top four this season.
England striker Marcus Rashford missed a golden opportunity early in the game. However, the youngster did open the scoring on nine minutes, latching onto a superb through ball from Paul Pogba before firing past Kasper Schmeichel.
There were very few other clear-cut opportunities for either team in a rather lacklustre first half. However, Harvey Barnes bent an effort wide from 25 yards and Jonny Evans missed a good opportunity for the home side against one of his former employers.
Leicester produced a more lively display in the second period. David de Gea kept out another effort from Barnes, this time from a tight angle before producing a comfortable save from a Jamie Vardy overhead kick.
Rashford fired wide of goal for the visitors at the other end of the pitch. A free-kick from Leicester substitute Rachid Ghezzal also tested De Gea, while Evans miss-kicked the ball when well positioned.
Substitutes Anthony Martial and Romelu Lukaku both had efforts saved by Schmeichel, as the visitors looked to seal the victory. However, in the end, it mattered little, as one goal was enough to seal United’s ninth win in ten games under interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The win moved United up to fifth place in the table, just two points outside the Champions League spots. Despite their stellar recent form, United are still slight outsiders to finish in the top four this season. Leicester remain 11th place in the table.
Aguero hat-trick enough to beat the Gunners
City took less than a minute to take the lead, as Aguero got on the end of an Aymeric Laporte cross to fire home from close-range. City continued to dominate possession, but Arsenal scored an equaliser against the run of play on 11 minutes.
Nacho Monreal flicked on a corner to the far post and centre-back Laurent Koscielny headed past Ederson. The Gunners looked like they were back in the game until just before the break and City’s second goal of the game.
German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan produced a brilliant chipped pass over the Arsenal defence to Raheem Sterling who cushioned a pass to Aguero at the far post and the striker tapped home.
Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno produced a good save from a Kevin De Bruyne effort before the Citizens added their third goal just after the hour mark. Sterling was again involved crossing for Aguero to bundle the ball home. Replays showed that the ball went in off the striker’s arm, but the goal was allowed.
Leno had to be alive to save another effort from Aguero, while he also had to keep out a 20-yard strike from City midfielder David Silva. The victory was a comfortable one for City, who are just two points behind league leaders Liverpool, at least until the Reds visit West Ham on Monday night. The defeat coupled with United’s earlier win saw the Gunners slip to sixth place in the table.
Will Manchester City still be two points clear after Liverpool’s game this evening?
