SUMMIT SPECIAL
POGBA’S MOMENT OF MAGIC AS UNITED RECLAIM TOP SPOT FROM CITY
PAUL POGBA’S superb second-half strike helped away-day specialists Manchester United continue their pursuit of a first Premier League title since 2013 as they regained top spot with a 2-1 victory at Fulham last night.
Barely a couple of hours after Manchester City had hit the summit for the first time this season with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side recovered from a shaky start at Craven Cottage to record their eighth league success on the road.
United fell behind after five minutes to a Fulham side who had taken points off Liverpool and Tottenham in recent weeks when livewire Ademola Lookman exposed their high line and ran through to beat David De Gea.
But Edinson Cavani pounced on a loose ball following keeper Alphonse Areola’s fumble to level midway through the first half and Pogba won it on 65 minutes when he received the ball just outside the box, cut inside and beat Areola with an unstoppable left-footed shot.
Earlier at the Etihad, goals in the final 11 minutes from Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan helped City break the resolve of a Villa side whose senior team were playing for the first time since New Year’s Day following a Covid outbreak. To add insult to injury, Villa manager Dean Smith was sent off for his complaints at City’s first goal.
City boss Pep Guardiola hailed a sixth successive league win as a ‘big victory’, but cautioned: ‘It’s still the first leg of the season. A lot of games to do but the important thing is the feeling is good.’
Liverpool, who have dropped to fourth place, host Burnley tonight.