Manchester United moved top of the Premier League following an eventful first half of matchweek 18, which is spread across this and next midweek.
Utd struggled to break down Burnley in a tense first-half display at Turf Moor, in which Luke Shaw luckily escaped with a yellow card for a foul on Johann Berg Gudmundsson when triggering a counter-attack which was halted by Robbie Brady fouling Edinson Cavani.
Referee, Kevin Friend consulted with VAR after awarded Brady a caution only to rescind it moments later and instead yellow carded Shaw and awarded Sean Dyche’s a free-kick which the Clarets wasted.
Burnley eventually finished the match without a shot on target as Paul Pogba volleyed in a 71st minute winner from Marcus Rashford’s cross to put Utd top ahead of Liverpool, with the top two set to meet on Sunday in a blockbuster clash.
Manchester City climbed to third after Phil Foden fired in from a swift through ball by Kevin De Bruyne to defeat Brighton, despite the Seagulls producing a tougher challenge than anticipated to lose by just a narrow margin.
Tottenham’s match at Aston Villa was postponed due to a Coronavirus outbreak amongst the Villains, forcing Spurs to contest a hastily rearranged home clash against third-bottom Fulham which finished 1-1 after Ivan Cavaleiro rescued the Cottagers a point following Harry Kane’s headed opener for the hosts.
Michael Keane’s second half header lifted Everton up to fifth behind Man City and Leicester on goal difference, after Alex Iwobi’s sixth minute smasher opened the scoring only for Rubens Neves to rifle Wolves level just eight minutes later from a long corner returned into the box by Rayan Ait-Nouri.
Arsenal found themselves held to a fifth draw in their last six meetings against Crystal Palace after contesting a goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium.
Finally, Billy Sharp’s penalty guaranteed Sheffield United their first win of the season despite sitting rock-bottom, as the Blades defeated 10-man Newcastle after Ryan Fraser was dismissed for fouls on John Fleck then David McGoldrick.
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