Alejandro Garnacho came off the bench to score a stoppage-time winner for Manchester United as they beat Fulham 2-1 at Craven Cottage in their final Premier League game before the World Cup break on Sunday.
Christian Eriksen, who is set to play for Denmark at the World Cup, scored the opener in the 14th minute, sliding in at the far post to steer the ball home after Anthony Martial and Bruno Fernandes combined cleverly to create the chance.
Carlos Vinicius almost put Fulham level just after the break, twisting to fire a shot that goalkeeper David De Gea steered behind, and the Spaniard pulled off another tremendous save to keep out Tim Ream’s headed effort from the subsequent corner.
The home side equalised in the 61st minute with a goal eerily similar to Manchester United’s as winger Willian played Tom Cairney free down the right and he centred for ex-United winger Daniel James to score two minutes after he came off the bench.
The game looked to be heading for a draw until Garnacho sped into the box and fired a low shot past Bernd Leno for his first Premier League goal to snatch all three points deep into stoppage time.
The result means Manchester United, whose next league game is at home to Nottingham Forest on December 27, will celebrate Christmas in fifth place on 26 points, while Fulham, who travel to Crystal Palace on December 26, are ninth on 19 points.
Villa win away
Aston Villa continued their fine start under Unai Emery by coming from behind to win 2-1 at Brighton & Hove Albion as two goals from striker Danny Ings helped them to get their first away victory in the league for six months.
Villa climbed to 12th in the table on 18 points after 15 games. Brighton are seventh on 21 after 14 matches.
Brighton took the lead in the opening minute when Argentine midfielder Alexis MacAllister intercepted a pass from Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to Douglas Luiz outside the area and lashed the ball into the net. The strike, after 49 seconds, was Brighton’s fastest-ever goal in the Premier League.
Ings hauled Villa back into the game with a penalty, powering the ball past Robert Sanchez from the spot in the 20th minute after Lewis Dunk had tripped John McGinn.
The striker then put Villa in front in the 54th minute with a deft piece of skill and finish from inside the area after Luiz took revenge on MacAllister by mugging the Argentine outside the box and slipping the ball to Ings.
Arsenal brushed aside bottom club Wolverhampton Wanders 2-0 on Saturday with both goals from captain Martin Odegaard to take a five-point lead at the top.
Joe Willock’s thunderous second-half goal earned Newcastle United a statement 1-0 win over Chelsea at St James’ Park and consolidated third place. Newcastle will be in the Premier League’s top-three at Christmas for the first time since 2001.
