Manchester United beat Aston Villa 3-1 to cement their place in third spot in the Premier League table. The `Red Devils` enjoyed a good weekend as their UCL rivals Liverpool and Chelsea dropped points at home.
United faced Villa at Old Trafford with both teams on 51 points. After a first half which promised but failed to deliver for the hosts, both teams went in at 0-0 at the end of the first half. In the second half, United made their dominance count through Casemiro, who headed in a corner to give the hosts the lead.
Ross Barkley equalised for Villa before Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko scored to give Manchester United a 3-1 win. The `Red Devils` moved three points clear of Villa in 4th place, with Liverpool and Chelsea at 5th and 6th position.
Manchester United have enjoyed a renaissance since Michael Carrick took over, having lost just once in the league since the turn of the year. With no other distractions, United will be the favourites to finish third in the table and secure a Champions League spot.
Chelsea and Liverpool drop points in their Champions League quest
Chelsea were stunned by Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge. The Blues lost 1-0 at home to the team from Tyneside, and lost ground on their Champions League pursuit in the process. Anthony Gordon`s early goal was enough to settle the game as Chelsea probed and tried but couldn`t beat Aaron Ramsdale in the Newcastle goal.
Chelsea lost mid-week against PSG in the UCL and will aim to recover a three-goal deficit against the reigning European champions at Stamford Bridge.On the other hand, UCL-chasing Liverpool dropped points against a struggling Spurs side at Anfield. The hosts made a few changes to their starting XI with one eye on the match against Galatasaray in the Champions League. That decision backfired as Liverpool threw away a one-goal lead to concede late on in a 1-1 draw against Spurs.
This win has propelled the Spurs to 30 points as they aim to stay clear of the relegation zone. Spurs will face Nottingham Forest in a crucial game this weekend, which could decide the fate of either team.
