Premier League Round-up | Lukaku, Lingard strike as United beat West Brom, Coutinho leads Liverpool to victory

12/18/2017

Romelu Lukaku and Jesse Lingard scored one goal each to give Manchester United a 2-1 win over West Brom as Jose Mourinho's men kept their title hopes alive. Mohamed Salah and Philippe Coutinho inspired Liverpool to a 4-0 victory in Bournemouth as the Reds powered back into the league’s top four.

West Bromwich Albion 1 - 2 Manchester United

With both the teams playing a defensive brand of football in the first half Lukaku managed to break the deadlock in the 26th minute when he got between two defenders to blast home a fine header from Marcus Rashford's cross. Eight minutes later, United scored the second goal of the evening when Ahmed Hegazi tried to block a Jesse Lingard drive from the edge of the box but could only succeed in deflecting the ball past Ben Foster.

The Red Devils appeared to be heading for a comfortable win before Albion substitute Gareth Barry poked home from close range with 13 minutes left in the game to give the hosts a slender hope of churning out a draw. However, the Baggies could not add to their first goal despite some late resurgence up front in the attack, thus remaining at the second bottom position of the table. They are on a club record winless run of 17 games. With the win, United moved back to 11 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City.

AFC Bournemouth 0 - 4 Liverpool

Philippe Coutinho started on the left as Sadio Mane was rested keeping an eye on the game against Arsenal, and the Brazilian quickly made his mark with a fine individual effort. Liverpool made a bright start and almost took the lead after 11 minutes when Coutinho’s curling free-kick came back off the upright. However, nine minutes later they made their domination count when Coutinho raced down the left flank, weaving past two players with exquisite balance before cutting the ball into the net past goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.

Liverpool added a second six minutes later when Roberto Firmino stopped the ball from crossing the byline by hooking it into the six-yard box on the volley, which found a diving header by Dejan Lovren. After being denied a goal by the Bournemouth keeper in the closing stages of the first-half, Mohamed Salah conjured up his own solo goal, turning his man inside the area and firing home left-footed curler. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain almost added to the score with a shot which came back off a post in the second half before Firmino glanced home a header from yet another excellent Coutinho cross, which brings Liverpool back in the top four.