United inch closer to European spot
MANCHESTER United moved to the brink of Champions League qualification with a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace yesterday, and Burnley’s relegation from the Premier League was confirmed.
Juan Mata put United ahead with a 19th-minute penalty after Scott Dann was adjudged to have handled the ball, before Luke Shaw, who took a blow to the face, and Wayne Rooney, who appeared to hurt his thigh, were forced off.
Jason Puncheon equalised with a 57th-minute free kick that nicked off Daley Blind, but 12 minutes from time Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni got caught beneath Ashley Young’s left-wing cross and Marouane Fellaini headed in the winner.
The victory took United seven points clear of Liverpool, who will be unable to overhaul Louis van Gaal’s side if they lose at new champions Chelsea today.
Even if Liverpool prevail at Stamford Bridge, United will need only three points from their last two games.
Burnley were relegated despite winning 1-0 at fellow strugglers Hull City, which left them seven points from safety with only two games remaining.
Burnley gave themselves hope of avoiding the drop by stunning defending champions Manchester City 1-0 in March, but subsequently went six games without winning. Danny Ings stopped the rot with a 62ndminute winner at the KC Stadium.
“We did what we had to do today, but we have not done it enough over the course of the season,” said Burnley manager Sean Dyche. “Of course relegation is disappointing, but I believe we’re in decent shape to bounce straight back.”
The result dragged Hull into the relegation zone and left Steve Bruce’s side two points from safety ahead of their thorny final fixtures away to Tottenham Hotspur and at home to United.
Queens Park Rangers are on the brink of slipping into the second tier as they are nine points adrift of safety ahead of a trip to City today.
Newcastle United skidded closer to the drop zone despite halting an eight-game losing streak — their worst since 1977 — by drawing 1-1 at home to West Bromwich Albion. Newcastle are now one place and two points above the bottom three, level on points with Sunderland, who won 2-0 at Everton.
Leicester City’s stunning resurgence continued as they made it six wins from seven games with a 2-0 victory at home to Southampton that left Nigel Pearson’s side three points above danger.
FA Cup finalists Aston Villa also took a step closer to safety by beating West Ham 1-0 at Villa Park, with on-loan United midfielder Tom Cleverley scoring his third goal in three games.
Spurs are a point above Southampton in sixth despite losing 3-0 at Stoke City. — AFP