LONDON, Oct 18: Manchester United’s winless run stretched to six matches after Leeds United held them to a 1-1 draw at Elland Road, while Brighton and Hove Albion produced a stunning 5-0 demolition of rivals Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday.
Elsewhere, Bournemouth secured their first league victory of the season with a 2-0 win over 10-man Sunderland, lifting themselves out of the relegation zone.
Calvert-Lewin frustrates Manchester United
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored shortly after half-time to earn Leeds a 1-1 draw against Manchester United, extending the visitors’ disappointing run under head coach Michael Carrick.
The contest began amid a hostile atmosphere at Elland Road, with both sides struggling to create clear chances during a physical opening period. United goalkeeper Senne Lammens produced a fine save to deny Nico Elvedi before Bryan Mbeumo missed a headed opportunity at the other end.
Mbeumo made amends in the 35th minute, battling past James Justin to meet Youri Tielemans’ excellent delivery and put United ahead before the interval.
Leeds responded soon after the restart when Calvert-Lewin beat Mbeumo to a loose ball following a corner initially contested by Tarik Muharemovic.
United captain Bruno Fernandes subsequently fired wide, while Leeds midfielder Anton Stach failed to keep his first-time effort on target as neither side found a winner.The draw extended United’s winless streak in all competitions to six matches, their worst such run since the end of the 2018-19 campaign. They remained 13th in the table, three points behind seventh-placed Leeds, who continued their impressive home form.
Gomez’s halfway-line stunner inspires Brighton rout
Diego Gomez scored a spectacular goal from the halfway line as Brighton inflicted a crushing 5-0 defeat on Crystal Palace in the derby.Brighton took the lead in the fourth minute when Jaydee Canvot headed into his own net.
Just three minutes later, Gomez doubled the advantage with a remarkable long-range strike after dispossessing Adam Wharton had been initiated by Olivier Boscagli winning possession.Spotting goalkeeper Walter Benitez off his line, the Paraguay international unleashed an effort from 51 metres.
Despite racing back and diving desperately, Benitez could not prevent the ball from dipping beneath the crossbar.
According to Opta, the strike was the Premier League’s longest-range goal since Wayne Rooney scored from 58 metres for Everton against West Ham United in November 2017.
Brighton added a third in the 10th minute when Yasin Ayari converted Charalampos Kostoulas’ backheel. Kostoulas then got on the scoresheet four minutes into the second half, finishing after Ayari’s effort deflected into his path.
Palace threatened through substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta, who struck the crossbar, while Jefferson Lerma headed against the post.
However, Brighton completed the rout in the 84th minute as Jack Hinshelwood finished from close range after Benitez parried Luka Vuskovic’s header.
The result represented Brighton’s biggest win over Palace since 1956 and their fifth Premier League victory of the campaign.
They climbed to second place, although Arsenal could overtake them with a win against Nottingham Forest.
Tavernier and Evanilson lift Bournemouth past Sunderland
Bournemouth claimed a crucial 2-0 victory over 10-man Sunderland to register their first Premier League win of the season and climb out of the relegation zone.Sunderland endured a disastrous opening 17 minutes, with defender Kevin Danso involved in both goalscoring incidents that put Bournemouth in control.
Marcus Tavernier opened the scoring in the sixth minute, heading into an unguarded net after Evanilson powered past Danso and delivered a cross.
The defender’s afternoon worsened shortly afterwards when he pulled down Evanilson as the Brazilian striker threatened to break through on goal.
Referee Craig Pawson showed Danso a straight red card for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity, leaving Sunderland with 10 players.
Goalkeeper Robin Roefs kept his side in contention with several saves, including two efforts from Brazilian winger Rayan.
Adam Smith, however, failed to convert a rebound from one of those opportunities.Sunderland’s defensive problems continued after the restart when Omar Alderete played an underhit back-pass towards Roefs.
Evanilson intercepted it, rounded the goalkeeper and calmly finished into the empty net three minutes into the second half.
Tavernier’s fourth goal of the season made him Bournemouth’s leading scorer, with three of his strikes opening the scoring in matches.
The victory offered a timely boost to Marco Rose’s side following their heavy defeat by Chelsea the previous week. (AP)