Premier League roundup: Pressure Mounts on Gerrard while United draw with Newcastle
Aston Villa - Chelsea 0-2
Mason Mount scored a brace as Chelsea defeated Aston Villa 2-0 in the Premier League. Despite an encouraging performance, further pressure was heaped on Steven Gerrard, with his side just a point clear of the relegation zone.
Chelsea had conceded first on each of their previous three visits to Villa Park, but a howler from Tyrone Mings ensured they wouldn’t suffer that fate again. The centre-back’s header looped up into the air behind the defensive line and handed Mount the chance to slide his volley past Emiliano Martinez.
Gerrard’s men responded brilliantly and controlled much of the first half, leaving the under-fire manager scratching his head as to how his side remained behind in the game. Leon Bailey headed against the bar from close range, before the Jamaican international picked out Danny Ings inside the six-yard box, but the forward’s effort was met by a world-class reaction save from Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Shortly before the interval, Chelsea sent a warning of their own when Raheem Sterling struck his effort against the woodwork on the counter. Graham Potter had seen his side put in an unconvincing display before the break though, and introduced Kalidou Koulibaly and Cesar Azpilicueta for the second period.
However, the hosts continued to dominate, with only their misfiring forward line preventing them from levelling the scores.
Just as in the opening stages of the contest, an individual error from one of his backline cost Gerrard as Chelsea doubled their lead. Mount was again the instigator, with his free-kick wrongfooting Martinez to nestle in the back of the net and seal all three points for the Blues.
A crucial victory kept Potter’s 100% Premier League record in charge of Chelsea intact, ending Villa’s four-match unbeaten streak in the process.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Mason Mount (Chelsea)
See stats from the match at Flashscore
Manchester United - Newcastle 0-0
In what was otherwise a drab goalless affair, Crag Pawson’s decision to deny Cristiano Ronaldo’s cheeky decision to rob a free-kick off the toe of Nick Pope ensured there was nothing to separate Manchester United and Newcastle United.
Despite justifiably being many people’s favourites to win on the back of just one defeat in 37 home league games against Newcastle, Manchester United started slowly in their bid to keep the pressure on the top-four places.
It was in fact the visitors who started the brighter and came tantalisingly close to taking the lead when Joelinton’s header crashed back off the bar straight back to the Brazilian who proceeded to incredibly head the rebound against the post.
United were able to mount a bit of pressure of their own before the break, but Antony’s advances were rebuffed by Nick Pope following some sprightly work on the counter from Jadon Sancho.
If the first half was a little flat from a United perspective, their start to the second half certainly wasn’t. In an incredible flashpoint, Fabian Schar touched the ball back from a free-kick for Nick Pope to take, but Cristiano Ronaldo assumed that was the free-kick taken and proceeded to rob the ball off Pope and roll it into an empty net.
Craig Pawson was on hand to quickly diffuse United’s celebrations, much to the dismay of the ten men in red shirts, who all rushed to surround the referee.
In a strange way, that disallowed goal breathed new defensive life into Newcastle, who became more determined than ever to defend their goal with all their might.
Marcus Rashford’s wayward free-kick just about summed up United’s attacking endeavours, with Newcastle relatively comfortable throughout the afternoon, but they should’ve snatched all three points when Rashford rounded Pope and laid the ball on a plate for Fred who missed the target with the goal at his mercy.
A point undoubtedly suits the Magpies more, though it wasn’t enough to lift them above United and into fifth.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Sven Botman (Newcastle United)
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Southampton - West Ham 1-1
West Ham United were forced to settle for a point after coming from behind to earn a draw against Southampton at St Mary's. That result ends a troubling run of four consecutive Premier League defeats for the Saints and somewhat eases the mounting pressure on boss Ralph Hasenhuttl.
Having won just twice in their last 15 league encounters, Southampton desperately needed a positive result, yet an open start to the contest saw chances aplenty for both sides. Che Adams showed pace and strength to shake off Thilo Kehrer, subsequently being denied by Lukasz Fabianski’s outstretched foot.
At the other end, the in-form Gianluca Scamacca saw his effort from distance sail narrowly wide of the top-right corner, before the game’s opener arrived in the 20th minute. A controversial throw-in from Kyle Walker-Peters was ultimately ignored by VAR, eventually leading to Romain Perraud’s heavily-deflected shot beating Fabianski.
The goal seemingly did little to change the pattern of play, with no shortage of opportunities for either side. Adams and Mohamed Elyounoussi each tested Fabianski, while Scamacca was heavily involved for the visitors, almost providing an assist when Lucas Paqueta’s header clipped the far post.
Crucially, the Saints went into the break ahead after hitting the target with seven of their eight attempts - a far more convincing return than West Ham’s zero from 10 efforts.
Nonetheless, Southampton’s lead remained slender as the Hammers continually knocked on the door. Paqueta and Scamacca added to the growing tally of shots before the Brazilian rifled a half-volley on the turn from range to finally force Gavin Bazunu into a save.
With an hour played, a West Ham goal was beginning to look inevitable, and so it proved when Declan Rice played a one-two with Said Benrahma, giving the captain enough space to curl in his first goal in a year.
There was no letup from the visitors as the final whistle approached, but the Saints did enough to hold on. Meanwhile, David Moyes’ side avoid a ninth defeat from their last 11 away league matches.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Lucas Paqueta (West Ham United)