EPL: Manchester United slip as Manchester City go 5 points clear

EPL: Manchester United slip as Manchester City go 5 points clear

Saturday, October 21, 2017 9:46 pm


Leroy Sane: on target for City

Manchester United on Saturday fell to a shock 1-2 defeat at promoted Huddersfield Town, with Pep Guardiola’s free-scoring Manchester City taking advantage of the slip.

City moved five points clear on the English Premier League (EPL) table by beating Burnley 3-0.

Aaron Mooy and Laurent Depoitre scored at the John Smith’s Stadium to give Huddersfield a first win over United since 1952.

The loss condemned Jose Mourinho’s side to their first loss of the 2017/2018 EPL season.

United’s defeat at a rain-lashed Huddersfield followed their 0-0 draw at Liverpool on Oct. 14 and a laboured 1-0 victory away to Benfica in the Champions League in mid-week.

Things started to go wrong in the 23rd minute when Phil Jones was forced off by an apparent hip injury with Victor Lindelof taking his place.

Huddersfield went ahead five minutes later when former City player Mooy robbed Juan Mata and moved in to score after David de Gea had saved from Tom Ince.

Lindelof was at fault as Depoitre scored in the 33rd minute, failing to cut out goalkeeper Jonas Lossl’s kick, which allowed Depoitre to round De Gea and score Huddersfield’s second.

United however got a consolation goal after substitute Marcos Rashford headed in Romelu Lukaku’s cross with 12 minutes remaining, but Huddersfield held firm for a famous win.

City took full advantage of Manchester United’s slip by beating Burnley 3-0, with Sergio Aguero equalling Eric Brook’s all-time club scoring record of 177 goals.

Guardiola’s City have won their last seven league games, scoring 20 goals in their last four home games.

Argentine striker Aguero netted from the spot on the half hour mark after Burnley goalkeeper Nike Pope was contentiously adjudged to have fouled Bernardo Silva.

Second half goals from Nicolas Otamendi and Leroy Sane completed City’s victory.

In other matches also played on Saturday, defending champions Chelsea closed to within four points of second-placed United by beating Watford 4-2 in a six-goal thriller at Stamford Bridge.

Also, Super Eagles’ Wilfred Ndidi was in action, while Kelechi Iheanacho was an unused substitute as Leicester City began life after Craig Shakespeare with a 2-1 win at Swansea City.

Tottenham Hotspur can draw level with Mourinho’s men if they beat Liverpool on Sunday. (NAN)


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