Late Rashford goal lifts Man Utd to second

MANCHESTER: A late Marcus Rashford strike lifted Manchester United to within two points of the English Premier League summit with a 10 win over Wolves at Old Trafford yesterday.

The shorthanded visiting side looked to have withheld a late onslaught but Rashford's shot in the third minute of added time took a big deflection off Romain Saiss to leave Rui Patricio wrongfooted and United celebrating a fourth win in five.

Edinson Cavani earlier had a strike ruled out for offside.

Arsenal followed up its encouraging win over Chelsea with another threepoint haul as Alexandre Lacazette scored within 21 seconds of coming on as a substitute to beat Brighton 10.

The Frenchman's decisive 66thminute strike moved the Gunners nine points clear of the relegation zone, further easing the pressure on manager Mikel Arteta.

Beleaguered Brighton remains just two points above the drop zone after failing to end its lengthy wait for a victory at Amex Stadium.

Leeds claimed its biggest Premier League win in 17 years as it outlined the full scale of the task facing Sam Allardyce with a 50 win over West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.

Romaine Sawyers’ own goal was just the start as Leeds put together a firsthalf highlights reel with fine goals from Ezgjan Alioski, Jack Harrison and Rodrigo.

Raphinha also netted a superb strike in the second half as Leeds recorded its biggest victory in the top flight since a 61 win over Charlton in 2003.

The result leaves Allardyce still seeking his first win since taking charge of a side now five points adrift of safety.

Still, West Brom's situation looks considerably better than that of Sheffield United, which went down 10 at Burnley to remain winless in the league heading into the new year and now 11 points adrift of 17th place.

Ben Mee’s firsthalf header left Chris Wilder's side with just two points from 16 games, the first topflight team without a victory at this point on the calendar since Bolton in 190203.

The win leaves Burnley five points above the drop zone, but with only one defeat in its past last six.

Southampton, playing without manager Ralph Hasenhuttl as the Austrian selfisolates, took a point from a goalless draw at home to West Ham. — BPA