close
Saturday, December 31, 2022

EPL: Rashford secures late-winner to return Man United to top four 

The goal is Marcus Rashford’s 100th Premier League goal contribution for Manchester United.

• December 31, 2022
Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford

Manchester United are back in top four for the first time this season following a slim 1-0 victory over Wolves in their last game of the year at the Molineux Stadium.

It was Marcus Rashford who started from the bench, with team’s manager Erik ten Hag saying it was due to ‘Internal disciplinary’, that won the match for The Red Devils.

The first half of the encounter was sloppy as both teams failed to find their rhythm, resulting in a goalless 45th minute, with United’s Alejandro Garnacho having the only clearest chance of finding the back of the net. However, his effort from point blank range was saved by goalkeeper Jose Sa.

United and Wolves looked rejuvenated for the second half as the pace of the game gradually became faster with both sides threatening each other, thanks to the introduction of Rashford and Adama Traore.

Thirteen minutes into the second half, David De gea was called to action when Ruben Neves fired a massive free kick from 30-yard out, but the United goalkeeper pulled off an impressive save to deny the Portuguese.

In the 76th minute finally broke the deadlock from United. He perfectly handled Bruno Fernandes’ pass inside the Wolves’ half and calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net to secure the victory for the Red Devils.

The goal was Rashford’s 100th Premier League goal contribution for Manchester United.

Barely eight minutes later, Rashford found the back of the net again after scrambling the ball into the net but the goal was ruled out by the referee after consultation with the VAR. The ball had struck Rashford’s arm on its way into the net.

Wolves almost scored a late equaliser towards inside the added minutes of game but De gea parried Raul Jimenez’s powerful header.

The victory which is the 12th scoreline that have consecutively ended in a one-goal between both sides, temporarily places United in the top four for the very first time this season.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

MKO Abiola Stadium

Sport

Ogun govt begins renovation of MKO Abiola Stadium

Facelift of the 10,000-capacity stadium is expected to be completed in four weeks.

NDLEA

States

We seized 1,766.94kg illicit drugs, arrested 296 suspects in Oyo: NDLEA

The suspects arrested by the anti-drug agency comprise 253 males and 43 females within the age range of 17 and 70 years.

Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe

States

Gov. Buni charges Yobe youths to join police, other security outfits to address unemployment

The governor said this would also compliment his administration efforts to ensure peace, security and poverty alleviation in the state.

Arsenal

Sport

Arsenal beat Brighton to top EPL table into new year

Following an impressive 4-2 victory over Brighton, Arsenal will be leading the rest of the 19 clubs in the EPL into 2023.

Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) used to illustrate the story

Hot news Home top

2023: Over 1.6 million PVCs uncollected in Lagos, INEC reveals

The electoral commission on Saturday in Abuja categorised the uncollected PVCs into 916,961 old cards and 777,002 new cards.

Toyin Falola

Opinion

Toyin Falola, a transcendental academic giant at 70

Toyin Falola, an endowed professor of history at the University of Texas whom I have called the patriarch of African academics in North America, isn’t an everyday individual.