Fernandes penalty rescues Man United as Chelsea go top in Premier League
Bruno Fernandes struck a stoppage-time penalty to secure Manchester United a dramatic 3-2 win over Burnley on Saturday, easing the pressure on under-fire manager Ruben Amorim after a turbulent week at Old Trafford.
United, humiliated by fourth-tier Grimsby Town in the League Cup, were desperate for a response after taking just one point from their first two league matches. Amorim’s side started brightly and went ahead in the 27th minute when Josh Cullen put through his own net.
Burnley hit back early in the second half through Lyle Foster, but United quickly restored their lead through new signing Bryan Mbeumo. A mistake from Altay Bayındır then gifted Jaidon Anthony an equaliser before Fernandes held his nerve from the spot after a VAR check ruled Amad Diallo had been fouled.
"I was frustrated like any Man United fan, we had chances to score more goals, create more chances. Today, the football was fair -- we were the better team," Amorim said after his side ended their winless run.
Chelsea, meanwhile, climbed to the top of the Premier League table after a hard-fought 2-0 home win against Fulham. Joao Pedro headed in his fifth goal in five matches from an Enzo Fernandez corner before the Argentine midfielder converted a penalty to seal the points. Fulham had earlier seen 18-year-old Joshua King’s strike ruled out by VAR for a foul in the build-up, leaving manager Marco Silva furious.
"How you disallow a goal like that one is unbelievable. Unbelievable," Silva told TNT Sports. "We can talk about many things but I'd prefer to say nothing more, because I'll be punished."
Tottenham Hotspur suffered their first setback under Thomas Frank as they were beaten 1-0 at home by Bournemouth. Evanilson scored the only goal in the fifth minute, his deflected effort beating Guglielmo Vicario, and Spurs never recovered.
"I prefer them not to boo but I understand it was not a good performance today," Frank said after boos rang out at full-time. "They have high expectations which I understand. The players put their heart out there but didn't hit our football levels today."
Elsewhere, Everton claimed a 3-2 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers thanks to a sparkling performance from loan signing Jack Grealish, who provided two assists. Beto, Iliman Ndiaye and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall were on target for the Toffees, while Wolves struck through Hwang Hee-chan and Rodrigo Gomes.
Sunderland’s impressive return to the top flight continued as Wilson Isidor scored a stoppage-time header to seal a 2-1 victory against Brentford, pushing them level on points with Everton.
Later this weekend, Leeds United host Newcastle United while defending champions Liverpool take on title rivals Arsenal at Anfield.
SportsLigue