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regular-article-logo Wednesday, 09 October 2024

United stand tall at Southampton: Brentford net in 22nd second but City prevail, Liverpool stunned

Alejandro Garnacho added a late goal for Erik ten Hag’s side who started the day 14th in the standings after back-to-back losses

Reuters Southampton Published 15.09.24, 10:40 AM
Matthijs de Ligt (centre) dives to head in Manchester United’s first goal against Southampton during the English Premier League match at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday.

Matthijs de Ligt (centre) dives to head in Manchester United’s first goal against Southampton during the English Premier League match at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday. Getty Images

New signing Matthijs de Ligt grabbed his first goal for Manchester United while Marcus Rashford scored for the first time since March in a 3-0 Premier League victory at Southampton on Saturday after a shaky start to the season.

Alejandro Garnacho added a late goal for Erik ten Hag’s side who started the day 14th in the standings after back-to-back losses. They now have six points from four matches.

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Southampton dominated early on but squandered a chance to take the lead in the 34th minute after United goalkeeper Onana saved Cameron Archer’s poor penalty, sparking an immediate shift in momentum at St Mary’s Stadium.

A minute later, De Ligt headed in a sumptuous ball from Bruno Fernandes after Christian Eriksen’s short corner.

Rashford, who had gone 13 games without a goal, then ended his drought when he was left unmarked on the edge of the box to bend a diagonal shot in the far corner in the 41st minute.

Ten Hag had been criticised for starting Rashford but he has stuck by the much-maligned 26-year-old — who had not found the back of the net since United’s 2-0 win over Everton on March 9 — saying pre-game that Rashford needed only a goal or an assist and “then he will fly”.

Haaland strikes again

Manchester City beat Brentford 2-1 at home to maintain their perfect start to the league season after Erling Haaland netted twice following the fastest goal of the season from the visitors.

Brentford had the perfect start when Yoane Wissa opened the scoring 22 seconds after kickoff but Haaland restored parity in the 19th minute when he scored from a tight angle with just his second touch of the game.

Haaland then made it 2-1 when Ederson booted the ball upfield where the Norwegian striker outmuscled defender Ethan Pinnock and chipped the ball past goalkeeper Mark Flekken for his ninth goal of the season.

As Haaland searched for that third goal which would have made him the first player to score hat-tricks in three straight Premier League games, Flekken made several saves to deny the league’s top scorer but City held on to seal the three points.

A superb second-half goal from substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi gave Nottingham Forest the biggest surprise win of the season so far as they beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield.

The Liverpool attackers found themselves on different wavelengths, and much of their play lacked their usual fluidity as chances went begging.

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