Pogba back in style for United’s 4-1 win
PAUL Pogba marked his comeback with a goal and an assist as Manchester United fought back to beat Newcastle United 4-1 and stay on Manchester City’s tail.
Sidelined since mid-September by a hamstring injury, France midfielder Pogba made a decisive return as Jose Mourinho’s side restored the eightpoint gap that separates them from Premier League leaders City.
Pep Guardiola’s City had earlier prevailed 2-0 at Leicester City and there were also wins for champions Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal, who beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in the north London derby.
United remain second, a point above Chelsea, who climbed above Tottenham into third place courtesy of a 4-0 success at West Bromwich Albion.
In addition to Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic received a rapturous reception from United’s fans when he came on as a substitute following his recovery from a serious knee injury.
A slip by Victor Lindelof enabled Dwight Gayle to put Newcastle ahead in the 14th minute with the first league goal United had conceded at Old Trafford since April.
But Pogba’s feathery cross teed up Anthony Martial to head in a 37th-minute equaliser and after Chris Smalling had headed the hosts in front, Pogba tapped in Marcus Rashford’s cushioned header early in the second half.
Romelu Lukaku added a fourth, swapping passes with Juan Mata and thrashing home to end a seven-game goal drought.
At Leicester, Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne struck fine goals as ruthless Manchester City registered a 16th successive victory in all competitions.
Jesus finished off a slick move shortly before half time and De Bruyne made it 2-0 early in the second half with a blistering left-foot shot into the top-left corner.
Chelsea piled the pressure on West Brom manager Tony Pulis with a breezy 4-0 win at The Hawthorns, where Antonio Conte’s side secured the title last season.
Eden Hazard scored twice and had a hand in Alvaro Morata’s 17th-minute opener, with Marcos Alonso also on target.
Quick-fire first-half goals by Shkodran Mustafi and Alexis Sanchez earned Arsenal a richly deserved victory over arch rivals Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium.
Liverpool remain fifth, above sixth-placed Arsenal on goal difference, after a routine 3-0 home win over Southampton at Anfield.
High-flying Burnley also sit on 22 points after Jack Cork and Ashley Barnes scored in a 2-0 home win over secondbottom Swansea City.
Bottom club Crystal Palace were twice pegged back in a lively 2-2 home draw with Everton.
James McArthur’s opener after 51 seconds was cancelled out by a Leighton Baines penalty and although Wilfried Zaha restored Palace’s lead, Oumar Niasse levelled again.
Callum Wilson netted a hat-trick and Harry Arter also scored as Bournemouth belied the dismissal of defender Simon Francis to beat Huddersfield Town 4-0 and move clear of the relegation zone.