Pulisic strikes again to wrap up ‘solid win’
Frank Lampard felt his young side passed another stern test as they beat Crystal Palace 2-0.
Second-half goals from Tammy Abraham and Christian Pulisic secured a sixth straight win for the Blues and lifted them, temporarily at least, up to second.
“In the first half we started well, then allowed our tempo to drop, but when we came out in the second half with the intent that we did, we won the game relatively comfortably – a nice, solid win with a clean sheet,” said Lampard. Tottenham produced yet another limp league display as they stumbled to a 1-1 d ra w w i t h Sheffield United that was marred by more VAR drama.
Son He u n g - m i n’s opener was cancelled out by George Baldock, whose 78th-minute strike was the second time United had got the ball in the back of the net, but VAR scrubbed off the first after John Lundstram’s toe was ruled to be offside. Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino does not know whether he will be given the time to rebuild the side, saying: “We’ll see if we have time to build what we want.
“We feel so disappointed, I don’t know the word to use. Upset or frustrated, but it is not a happy feeling.” West Ham’s misery continued as Burnley ended their own poor run with a thumping win at Turf Moor. Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood celebrated their new contracts with a goal apiece in the 3- 0 win, with Wood having another chalked off by VAR.
The third goal was a calamity for Hammers keeper Roberto. He was all at sea all afternoon, with the nadir coming in the 54th minute when he pushed Ashley Westwood’s cross into his own net.
“I feel that the team didn’t play well, we lost and the responsibility is with all of us,” said Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini.
Marco Silva won the battle of the underpressure managers as Everton piled more misery on Ralph Ha s e n h u t t l ’ s Southampton with a 2- 1 victory at St Mary’s.
Richarlison volleyed a 75th- minute winner to end the Toffees eightmatch run without an away win and earn Silva a much-needed reprieve.
Saints levelled through striker Danny Ings early in the second half after Tom Da v i e s headed Everton ahead early on. “No b o d y is h a p py with our performance, absolutely. I was also not happy in the half- time,” Hasenhuttl said.
“To be clear, I need all my energy to find answers to other questions ( not about his future). I’m here and I try to be strong.”