Premier League Roundup | Manchester United ease past Chelsea; Firmino lifts Liverpool over West Brom

04/17/2017

Manchester United outplayed Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday to blow open the Premier League title race. An early goal in each half from Marcus Rashford and Ander Herrera helped the Red Devils to an easy 2-0 win over the league leaders. Elsewhere, Roberto Firmino secured 3 points for Liverpool.

United opened the scoring in as early as the 7th minute when Herrera sent Rashford through on goal with a defense-splitting pass and the youngster coolly slotted the ball between Asmir Begovic’s feet and into the net for his ninth goal of the season.

Jose Mourinho provided a tactical masterclass as United pressed Chelsea, not allowing them time and space on the ball and his tactics were rewarded once again, early in the second half, when Herrera’s shot from just outside the box took a deflection and looped over Begovic for United’s second goal.

The result was Chelsea’s second defeat in their last four league games and sees their lead over Tottenham at the top of the table trimmed to just four points. Meanwhile, United consolidated their hold on the fifth position with the victory and are now just four points behind Manchester City in the fourth spot, having played a game lesser than their cross-town rivals.

Elsewhere, Roberto Firmino’s close range header settled a scrappy encounter against West Brom in Liverpool’s favor. Firmino was assisted by Lucas Leiva with a flick on in added time of the first half. The win keeps the Reds in third place, two points ahead of Manchester City having played a game more.