The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
De Gea stands firm to keep out Tottenham
PREMIER LEAGUE: Keeper stars as Rashford goal extends Solskjaer’s run
TOTTENHAM 0 MANCHESTER UNITED 1
David De Gea produced one of the finest goalkeeping displays in many a year as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer overcame Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham to become the first manager in United’s history to win their first six matches in charge.
Yesterday’s eagerly-anticipated Premier League encounter pitted the bookmakers’ favourites to permanently replace Jose Mourinho against one another as a packed Wembley witnessed a clash that lived up to the billing.
Marcus Rashford’s splendid strike from an equally impressive Paul Pogba pass sealed United’s win in the capital, but De Gea took the headlines after an incredible display that left Pochettino, the frontrunner to take over at Old Trafford this summer, in disbelief.
The Spaniard had made 11 saves by the time the full-time whistle went in a captivating match, where Solskjaer wrote his name into the history books by extending his 100% record in a sixth match in all competitions.
There were impressive attacking flashes from United and admirable resolve in front of Sir Alex Ferguson, who saw the goalkeeper he brought in from Atletico Madrid in 2011 take the headlines with a breathtaking performance.
Kurt Zouma’s first Everton goal and a late strike from Dominic Calvert-Lewin eased some of the scrutiny on manager Marco Silva but Bournemouth’s miserable run continued after the 2-0 defeat at Goodison Park.
The on-loan Chelsea defender’s 61st-minute header was followed by substitute Calvert-Lewin sidefooting home in the sixth minute of additional time to secure only the Toffees’ second Premier League win in nine matches, and their first home clean sheet since November 24.
Bournemouth’s misery continued as their slump was extended to nine defeats in their last 12 league matches.
Liverpool moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League with a hard-fought 1-0 away win at Brighton on Saturday.
Jurgen Klopp’s side did not manage a shot on target in the first half, but were ahead early in the second after Pascal Gross fouled Mohamed Salah in the area and the Egyptian fired in the spot-kick.
Victory extended Liverpool’s advantage at the summit ahead of second-placed Manchester City’s meeting with Wolves tonight.
Arsenal slumped to a 1-0 defeat at West Ham in the lunchtime kick-off with Declan Rice scoring his first career goal.
Arsenal’s slip-up allowed Chelsea to go six points clear in fourth place with a 2-1 win over struggling Newcastle.
Ciaran Clark’s header five minutes before the break cancelled out Pedro’s ninth-minute opener, but Willian curled in what proved to be the winner from a tight angle in the 57th minute.
Burnley recorded a fourth straight win in all competitions despite not having a shot on target as they came from behind to beat Fulham 2-1 courtesy of a pair of own goals at Turf Moor.
Watford came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 with the Hornets’ Craig Cathcart scoring for both sides.
Southampton climbed out of the drop zone as they hung on for a 2-1 away win at Leicester despite having defender Yan Valery sent off shortly before the break.
It finished goalless between Cardiff and Huddersfield, with the visitors angered late on when referee Lee Mason awarded a penalty, only to change his mind after talking to his assistant.