Premier League Roundup : Zlatan rescues United a point against Everton

04/05/2017

Manchester United have their work cut out in their bid to qualify for the Champions League next season following their ninth home draw of the season. The result leaves the Red Devils in 5th spot - four points behind cross-city rivals Manchester City and three clear of sixth-place Arsenal.

Manchester United once again had Zlatan Ibrahimovic to thank as a late penalty from the big striker salvaged a point for United at home to Everton on Tuesday. Two consecutive home draws have taken United further away from their intended spot in the top 4 with games against Chelsea, Spurs, City, and Arsenal yet to come.

United were at the risk of staring down at a first league defeat in 19 games, when Phil Jagielka gave the visitors a surprise lead, by poking home a finish through the legs of David de Gea in the 22nd minute, following a flick-on from Ashley Williams at the near post from an Everton corner. And though, United dominated the ball both before and after Everton scored, they struggled to create too many clear-cut opportunities to trouble Joel Robles in the Everton goal.

Given the lack of opportunities created by United in the first half, Mourinho made his first change at half time bringing on Paul Pogba to replace Daley Blind. While United started creating some chances, they were still finding it difficult to breach the resolute Everton defense. Mourinho continued with the changes as Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Luke Shaw for the final quarter of the game and it proved to be the right decision in the end.

Shaw, who was criticized by Mourinho recently, proved his worth to his manager when he his shot, destined for the bottom corner was handled by Ashley Williams in the box. After the referee sent off Williams, Ibrahimovic stepped up and coolly slotted the resulting penalty past Robles to ensure the points were shared.

In the other games, George Boyd moved Burnley 8 points clear of the drop zone with a strike at home to Stoke City while Leicester City continued their revival under Craig Shakespeare with a 2-0 victory at home to Sunderland, thanks to goals from Islam Slimani and Jamie Vardy. Watford, too, secured a victory at home to West Bromwich Albion after goals from M’baye Niang and Troy Deeney.

Results

Manchester United 1 Everton 1

Burnley 1 Stoke City 0

Leicester City 2 Sunderland 0

Watford 2 West Brom 0