Tuesday night’s action in the Premier League produced plenty of drama and action. There were wins for Wolves and Watford. Here is what happened in Tuesday night’s matches:
Wolves defeat ten-man Manchester United
Wolves dented Manchester United’s hopes of a top-four finish by beating the Red Devils 2-1 at Molineux after veteran United star Ashley Young saw red.
The visitors started the game in a brighter manner than the home side. Wolves goalkeeper Rui Patricio denied Romelu Lukaku from close-range prior to the Red Devils taking the lead on 13 minutes.
Full-back Luke Shaw found Scotland international Scott McTominay 25 yards from goal and the midfielder produced a fine finish into the far corner of Patricio’s goal. United should have doubled their lead soon afterwards, but Jesse Lingard missed the target with an effort from eight yards out.
United paid for that error on 25 minutes, as Raul Jimenez put Diogo Jota through on goal and Portuguese star made no mistake with his finish. The game then became an end-to-end affair, as Wolves midfielder Leander Dendoncker fired over from ten yards out and Lukaku fired just wide from an acute angle at the other end.
The game turned on 56 minutes, as referee Mike Dean dismissed United full-back Young for a second bookable offence on Jota. United attempted to valiantly hold on, but on 77 minutes the home side found a winning goal.
Raul Jimenez failed to connect properly with Jonny’s cross. However, United defender Chris Smalling put the ball in his own net while under pressure from Dendoncker. It proved to be the last meaningful action of the match.
The strengthened Wolves spot in seventh place, while United remain outside the Champions League spots on goal difference. The Red Devils are now underdogs to claim a top-four spot.
Watford relegate Fulham with a big win
Watford recorded a 4-1 win over Fulham at Vicarage Road, a defeat that means that the Cottagers will be playing Championship football next season.
The Hornets took the lead on 23 minutes, as Abdoulaye Doucoure started and finished the move, giving the ball to Will Hughes before receiving it back and firing past the helpless Sergio Rico in the visitor’s goal.
The home were only ahead for ten minutes though, as the Cottagers produced a rare moment of quality. Highly-rated youngsters Ryan Sessegnon beat Jose Holebas and played in Ryan Babel, who showed the composure to round Ben Foster and fire home.
Fulham failed to capitalise on their parity and the Hornets took control of the game on 63b minutes with their second goal. Hobelas’ corner was cleared to Hughes, who produced a superb left-foot volley that crashed off the bar.
It got worse for the visitors six minutes later, as captain Troy Deeney tapped home after good play from substitute Andre Gray. The Cottagers misery was complete on 75 minutes, as Gray produced a good pass to put full-back Kiko Femenia and the Spaniard beat compatriot Rico in the away goal.
The victory means that Watford moved on to 46 points, their highest ever Premier League points tally. The Hornets are sitting pretty in eighth place and still in contention for seventh spot, which could result in a European spot for next season.
Meanwhile, while Fulham had looked relegated for a good, while it is now mathematically certain that the Cottagers will be playing in England’s second tier next season.
Who will finish seventh in the Premier League table?
