The race for Champions League football between Manchester United and Liverpool may possibly extend to the final game of the season after Erik ten Hag’s side recorded a narrow 1-0 victory at Bournemouth which put the Red Devils in pole position to make the top four.
United’s top four finish in the campaign was almost sealed in the afternoon until Roberto Firmino’s late equaliser in a concurrent game against Aston Villa at Anfield denied the Red Devils early celebrations and retained Liverpool’s position in the fight for a Champions League ticket.
Bournemouth vs Manchester United
It was an entertaining game at the Vitality Stadium as the Red Devils took on Bournemouth in the crucial game. Barely nine minutes into the match, the visitors secured all that mattered in the game when former Real Madrid midfielder, Casemiro, scored with an acrobatic kick to put United upfront.
Already crowned Golden Glove winner, David de Gea, who now has 17 clean sheets, made some impressive saves, including a late attempt from Dominic Solanke from close range to keep United in the game. The Red Devils eventually picked up the three points which took their season’s tally to 69 points.
They now only need one more point to secure a top four finish.
With only one round of game to go for most teams, Liverpool are on 66 points and three points adrift of their long-time rivals, Manchester United.
Thursday night
The Red Devils might as well get the top four job done before Liverpool, who were held to a one-all draw by Aston Villa, would kick the ball again. United have an outstanding game against Chelsea and a draw against the Blues on Thursday will confirm United’s place in next season’s Champions League.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
At Merseyside, a late goal by Roberto Firmino in what was his last game for Liverpool at Anfield following the news that he would leave the club at the end of the campaign ensured that the Reds kept their hope of qualifying for the Champions League alive, at least until Thursday night.
In the 22nd minute, Ollie Watkins failed to put Aston Villa upfront after the England international’s penalty kick went wide off the right post. But five minutes later, Aston Villa were able to break the deadlock as Jacob Ramsay tapped in a chipped pass from close range to take Aston Villa into the break with a 1-0 advantage.
Five minutes after the break, Liverpool were finally able to find the net. However, Cody Gakpo’s goal was ruled out by VAR for offside.
However, in the 89th minute, Firmino gave Liverpool fans the perfect parting gift after the Brazilian put Mohamed Salah’s assist into the net to salvage a point for the Reds. The goal may later prove to be important in their push for a top four finish.
Relegation battle
Former Barcelona defender Yerry Mina’s stoppage-time goal ensured Everton salvaged a point in the one-all draw against Wolves at the Molineux Stadium. The result took their season’s tally to 33 points and two points adrift of 18th-placed Leeds United whom the Toffees’ fans would hope drop points in their match against West Ham on Sunday.
Hee-Chan Hwang’s first-half goal kept Wolves in the lead until the closing minutes of the encounter when Yetty Mina scored the dramatic goal for a vital equaliser for Everton. A win away at Bournemouth will keep the Toffees in the top-flight division, where they are currently the longest-ever club in the division without dropping down.
