Manchester United defeated Brentford 1-0 on Wednesday, and Marcus Rashford scored the game-winning goal to send the Red Devils back into the top four of the Premier League. Newcastle defeated West Ham 5-1 to maintain third place.
For the Magpies, who continue to be ahead of United on goal differential, Callum Wilson and Joelinton both scored twice.
In the battle for a spot in the Champions League for the next season, both teams presently lead Tottenham by three points and have a game in hand over Spurs.
After three straight league games without a victory and cup obligations that prevented them from winning in the Premier League since mid-February, United had dropped to fifth place.
The Bees had dealt Erik ten Hag’s team a devastating 4-0 loss in their last meeting in August, so they too had a score to settle.
The Netherlands coach had the reaction he wanted after being harsh in his assessment of his players’ attitude and ambition in Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Newcastle.
In sharp contrast to previous games, United got out to a strong start and had a chance to go ahead before Rashford’s goal, but Anthony and Scott McTominay’s shots were just wide of the mark.
When Ten Hag’s patience with Wout Weghorst eventually ran out, Rashford was given the start in the center, and that choice paid off when the England international was ideally positioned to side-foot Marcel Sabitzer’s knockdown for his 28th goal of the year.
Brentford moved up to ninth place in the standings after losing only one of their previous 16 Premier League games.
Throughout the first hour, Thomas Frank’s team provided nothing in the way of an offensive threat, but when Ivan Toney rushed down, he almost gave an equalizer.
The ball was cleared by David de Gea, but it sailed narrowly wide.
When Kevin Schade got the only other clean shot on goal for Brentford, De Gea atoned for his error by spreading out to prevent him.
– NEWCASTLE CLOSE ON CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RETURN –
Newcastle moved one step closer to the Champions League for the first time in 20 years with a fourth straight victory.
Alexander Isak was replaced in the starting lineup by Wilson, who promptly repaid Eddie Howe’s faith in him by scoring the game’s first goal after only six minutes.
After only 13 minutes, Joelinton increased the advantage for the Magpies by latching onto Fabian Schar’s through pass, coolly navigating around Lukasz Fabianski, and putting the ball into an empty goal.
Just before halftime, Kurt Zouma’s header temporarily gave West Ham hope.
but just after the start of the second half. Jacob Murphy took control of Nayef Aguerd inside his own box and squared for Wilson to tap in.
Isak was able to increase the score to four thanks to a further West Ham error when Fabianski put the ball in his path before Joelinton struck the victor.
David Moyes watched in disbelief as his team’s defensive play may have been the last straw for the Scot, who now risks being the 13th Premier League manager fired this year.
After a loss, the Hammers are only remain above the drop zone on goal differential.