Premier League Roundup | United beat Boro to rise to 5th as Liverpool hold City 1-1

03/20/2017

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United's victory move them up the table after more than 600 days in sixth place. Liverpool and City's finishing prove costly as they split points at the Etihad. Spurs were the biggest winners of the weekend as the dogfight for a spot in the top 4 is set to continue after the international break.

Middlesbrough Vs. Manchester United:-

United finally managed to move up the Premier League table on Sunday with a straightforward victory against Middlesbrough at the Riverside stadium. Meanwhile, Liverpool and Manchester City were both left to rue missed opportunities as their tie ended 1-1.

Playing their third game of the week United managed to ease past sullen Middlesbrough side that look set for relegation.

Although the home side started well and dominated the ball, they couldn’t make their possession count and United always looked the most likely to score the opener. Marcus Rashford certainly had the upper hand on Bernardo, running past him at will in the first have and Rashford should have put United in the lead when former United keeper Victor Valdes denied the youngster in a one on one situation.

However, United’s threat on the counter attack did pay dividends as Marouane Fellaini nodded in Ashley Young’s cross at the far post at the half hour mark. Jese Lingard doubled United’s lead after the break with a sensational shot from the edge of the box, that flew into the top corner. Although Rene Gestede gave the home side a glimmer of hope after coming on, Antonio Valencia ensured all three points for the Red Devils as he punished a slip from Valdes by tapping the ball into an empty net. The result lifts United into 5th spot above Arsenal, while Boro are still stuck in 19th.

Liverpool Vs. Manchester City:-

The high-profile fixture of the weekend saw City taking on Liverpool at the Etihad with both clubs looking to consolidate their respective Champions League spots. Although City started the brighter of the two, stretching the play from side to side, they couldn’t call Simon Mignolet into serious action. City had a legitimate claim for a penalty denied in the 14th minute, as Aguero was not allowed to get on the end of Fernandinho’s cross by Matip.

The game came to life in the 40th minute as Sterling tried to get on the end of Sane’s cross and Fernandinho should have tapped City into the lead, but the Brazilian couldn’t adjust his body in time. This was immediately followed by Liverpool's chance at the other end when Firmino drew two top saves out of Willy Caballero and Adam Lallana’s volleyed follow-up was also repelled by the goalkeeper.

Liverpool managed to break the deadlock in the second half after Gael Clichy had brought down Emre Can in the box and James Milner kept his nerve to put the visitors in the lead. Aguero’ then equalized for City thanks to a perfect cross from Kevin De Bruyne.

The game really opened up as both teams went in search for the winner, and had their chances as well, However, the finishing from both the teams was not up to the mark as they squandered glorious opportunities to pick up the win. Adam Lallana missed a guilt edged chance when he failed to connect with the ball, with only Caballero to beat, following a Liverpool counter-attack. Aguero didn’t cover himself in glory either when he failed to keep his volley from close range on target.

The result meant that City and Liverpool remain third and fourth in the table respectively, although City have a game in hand on Liverpool.

In the other game of the evening, Tottenham Hotspurs made light work of Harry Kane’s absence as they ran out 2-1 victors at home to Southampton. Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli were on target for Spurs as they consolidated they hold on to second place, 10 points behind leaders Chelsea.

Full Scores:

Middlesbrough 1 - 3 Manchester United

Tottenham 2 - 1 Southampton

Manchester City 1 - 1 Liverpool

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