BOURNEMOUTH-Midfielder Casemiro scored an excellent acrobatic volley to provide Manchester United a 1-Zero Premier League win at Bournemouth on Saturday that took them nearer to Champions League soccer subsequent season.
United moved on to 69 factors in fourth place within the desk, behind Newcastle United on purpose distinction and needing one level from residence video games in opposition to Chelsea and Fulham subsequent week to seal a return to European membership soccer’s most prestigious competitors. Fifth-placed Liverpool, who’re on 66 factors after a 1-1 draw in opposition to Aston Villa, face relegated Southampton on the ultimate day.
The guests dominated the opening exchanges and went forward within the ninth minute when Cherries defender Marcos Senesi tried to hook away a Christian Eriksen cross behind the defence, however solely succeeded in teeing up Casemiro for an excellent spinning volley. The house facet discovered their ft halfway by way of the primary half as Dominic Solanke managed a protracted ball into the field and unleashed a shot that David De Gea needed to dive to his left to save lots of.
That sparked a optimistic spell for Bournemouth, with Victor Lindelof compelled into quite a few defensive headers, however they had been quickly on the again foot once more as United took management once more within the second half. Winger Antony wasted quite a few respectable probabilities, whereas substitute Wout Weghorst and midfielder Bruno Fernandes each compelled high quality saves from Neto and it regarded prefer it was solely a matter of time earlier than United scored once more.
They had been nearly made to pay for his or her wayward ending when substitute Kieffer Moore bore down on De Gea late on, however the keeper blocked his shot and the hazard was averted. There was nonetheless time for another likelihood for the house facet, with Senesi firing simply over the bar, however United held on for a win that prompted wild celebrations from the travelling supporters.
“The one criticism is we didn’t kill off the sport, we needed to produce that second purpose however that’s the best way this staff are. It isn’t simple scoring objectives,” United supervisor Erik ten Hag instructed the BBC.
As Manchester United’s recreation was ending, Liverpool had been a purpose right down to Aston Villa and a defeat there would have assured United’s qualification for the Champions League. However regardless that Roberto Firmino equalised for Liverpool, Ten Hag mentioned he was not desirous about that outcome. “I don’t care what occurs in Liverpool, it’s about us. We now have to do the job,” he mentioned.
RESULTS
Brentford 3-1 Tottenham
Fulham 2-2 Crystal Palace
Liverpool 1-1 Aston Villa
Wolves 1-1 Everton
Man United 1-Zero Bournemouth