MANCHESTER, Jan. 14 (BNA): In-form Marcus Rashford scored a late goal as Manchester United came from behind to beat rivals Manchester City 2-1 on Saturday, propelling Erik Ten Hag’s rejuvenated side into a Premier League title race even sooner. Anyone expected.
Reuters reports that England striker Rashford completed his conversion eight minutes from time to score for the seventh consecutive match in all competitions, the first United player to do so since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008.
The hosts looked in defeat after Jack Grealish took City ahead on the hour mark, and the champions were in control until Bruno Fernandes equalized in the 78th minute, with Rashford finishing the job in dramatic fashion.
United celebrated a ninth successive win in all competitions with real vigor as they moved within striking distance of City in second place, giving Arsenal the chance to go eight points clear at the top of the table with victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. .
“Score the goal and win the game, that’s always the goal. This match is a bit special,” Rashford told BT Sport.
“It’s a change in dynamics. I’ve said many times but the options are off the bench even when we get injured, the players are out of positions, everyone makes a change.
“Anything is possible. We are very happy to come back and win.”
The hosts had the best of the chances in a tense first half at Old Trafford, with Rashford seeing a tame effort saved by Manuel Akanji on the line, while City struggled to get the ball forward.
City improved a lot after the break, and the pressure paid off when Grealish came off the bench to lead his side into the lead in the 61st minute, 193 seconds after they had taken the lead, at the end of a fine cross from the powerful playmaker Kevin. De Bruyne.
However, with United emerging second, they pulled off a remarkable turnaround, out of nowhere, to turn the game on its head and make fans dream of their first league title in a decade.
There was an element of controversy surrounding United’s equalizer in the 78th minute, with Rashford initially declared offside when Fernandes slotted the ball into the net, with the goal scored after a VAR review, which raised City’s suspicions.
Rashford was then again the hero for United, turning in a precise cross from substitute Alejandro Garnacho to seal a thrilling late win for the hosts, who beat City for only the second time in eight home attempts in the league.
“The match was really good,” said BT Sports coach Pep Guardiola. “We played well. They’re great in the transitions. Congratulations to the team. I’m proud to come here and play like this. They penalized us in the transfers.”
M