Manchester United defeated a tough Aston Villa formation (2-1) on Friday night on Matchday 17 of the Premier League, and became co-leader of the championship with Liverpool.
This is the first time the Red Devils have regained this rank at this stage of the competition since the departure of Alex Ferguson in 2013.
Manchester United have certainly already achieved convincing series since the arrival of Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer, two years ago. But it is the first time in nearly eight years that England’s most powerful club have shared a leadership position so late in the season.
The goal difference is even lower (+17 against +9), and we will have to wait to see if he is really able to worry Liverpool over the distance. But his 10 victories in 16 matches are not anecdotal.
Faced with a very well organized formation, Manchester United created the main opportunities in the first period, with five dangerous attempts by Bruno Fernandes (2nd, 37th), Anthony Martial (11th), Fred (16th) and Paul Pogba (25th) , which gradually regains the status of holder after a delicate autumn.
Aston Villa was once worrying, on an attempt by the indefatigable John McGinn (13th). The opening came shortly before half-time, on a header from Martial upon receipt of a cross from Aaron Wan-Bissaka (40th, 1-0).
Heckled by Jack Grealish in the quarter of an hour following the break, the Red Devils were logically joined in the score after a goal from Bertrand Traoré (58th, 1-1). The former Lyonnais thus scored his third goal in four matches. In the process, a foul on Paul Pogba allowed Bruno Fernandes to transform a penalty and give his people a lucky advantage (61st, 1-1).
The Mancuniens were then able to play high, and stifle the inclinations of Aston Villa. Pogba, Fernandes and Rashford could even have widened the gap and avoided two scares at the end of the match (attempts by Tyrone Mings and Matty Cash).
No one has yet forgotten the pitiful Champions League exit last month, but this win over the Premier League’s best away defense is clearly a performance.
– Everton makes a white copy –
The Everton Toffees probably delivered their worst performance of the season, at home against West Ham (0-1), and logically lost three points. Carlo Ancelotti’s players remained on four Premier League wins, including three against Chelsea, Leicester and Arsenal, and could not but be confident receiving a formation that was left over four games without a win.
But they displayed an obvious lack of envy, including when they felt the game was starting to get out of hand. Their lack of reaction after Tomas Soucek’s goal late in the game was striking, and revealed their inability to create play, already seen on several occasions this season.
“We are more comfortable when we defend and we can counterattack, admitted the Italian coach of the Blues. When we have the ball, we have more difficulties, and we have to adjust that”.
This 17th day continues until Monday, with in particular a clash of cultures between Tottenham and Leeds (Saturday at 12:30 GMT), and a beautiful poster between Chelsea and Manchester City (Sunday at 16:30 GMT).
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