Manchester United also wins over Everton; Chelsea also loses under Lampard

Manchester United recorded their second win of the week in the Premier League. Three days after the narrow victory over Brentford (1-0), Everton was beaten 2-0 by coach Erik ten Hag’s team.

United, with Tyrell Malacia in the starting lineup and Wout Weghorst on the bench, remains fourth in the Premier League despite the win. Competitor Newcastle United, the club of defender Sven Botman, won 2-1 at Brentford and remains ahead of the team from Manchester on goal difference.

Marcus Rashford, Antony (post) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka had been close to the 1-0 in one-way traffic, before Scott McTominay did score after a nice pass from Jadon Sancho. Before that, Ellis Simms had a saving chance on behalf of Everton, but he wasted it.

United, which shot on goal as many as 22 times in the first half, was less dominant after halftime. After a slip by Séamus Coleman, Anthony Martial finally doubled the margin.

Christian Eriksen also came into the lines, the Dane returning from injury after two months. Adding to Manchester United’s victory was Rashford’s breakdown. The star striker appeared to be troubled by his groin.

He was brought in as a savior at Chelsea a few days ago. Former player and coach Frank Lampard should help ‘The Blues’ up until the end of the season as interim, but in his first game he has not yet been able to cause a turnaround.

Visiting Wolves, Chelsea lost 1-0. It was the third league game in a row in which Chelsea failed to score. Matheus Nunes became matchwinner for the home side by popping the ball in with a brilliant volley just after halftime.

With Lampard at the helm, Chelsea did not look much different than in recent weeks under Graham Potter, who was fired last week. Offensively, they did not amount to much and the Londoners produced only one shot on goal in the first half. Things improved slightly after halftime, but it was the home side that scored.

Hakim Ziyech was not in the matchday squad for Potter’s last three games. Lampard, who had brought Ziyech to Stamford Bridge as recently as 2020, also put the Moroccan international in the stands. Next to him sat former PSV player Noni Madueke.

Wednesday’s crucial Champions League quarterfinal match against Real Madrid is scheduled for Chelsea. Winning the prestigious European Cup tournament seems to be the only way for the Londoners to be assured of Champions League soccer next season as well.

A place among the first four in England is almost certainly out of sight with a deficit of seventeen points.

Manchester City kept the pressure on leaders Arsenal. The number two won with two fingers in the nose at Southampton: 1-4. Arsenal awaits the tough away game with Liverpool on Sunday.

Southampton began playing compactly, but still could not keep it dry. The first chances were wasted on Jack Grealish, Ilkay Gündogan and Erling Haaland, but just before halftime the Norwegian headed in a goal on a cross from Kevin De Bruyne. It was already the 100th assist for the Belgian in the Premier League.

Southampton gave away a lot of space after halftime and Grealish and Haaland (half-straight) took advantage of it. Sekou Mara did something back for the home side, but Julián Álvarez brought the margin back to three from 11 yards, after which the straggler was spared worse.