London (AFP)
A somewhat happy goal from Paul Pogba allowed Manchester United to return to the top of the Premier League for the first time in more than three years, with their success (1-0) at Burnley in a late match in the 1st day.
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Manchester rhymes with leader:
It was laborious, but the Red Devils did not let slip the opportunity to enjoy the intoxication of the peaks with this success (1-0) in a poorly classified (16th).
Predicted on goal difference by Liverpool before this game, Manchester are now three lengths ahead of their rivals and four over Leicester and Everton, with the four teams having the same number of matches.
United had benefited from a postponement of this meeting due to their good run in the Europa League this summer and can thank Paul Pogba, whose inspiration unblocked a rather lackluster game.
A little less than twenty minutes from the end, the world champion placed himself on the semicircle at the entrance of the penalty area to catch a volley a center without momentum from Marcus Rashford.
Pogba was lucky enough to see his shot deflected by a Clarets defender pass between the legs of the opposing goalkeeper (1-0, 71).
"We are happy to have taken the three points but the road is still long and we will have to refocus until the end of the season", rejoiced in moderation the striker, at the end of the match, at the microphone by Sky Sports.
Despite the efforts of a very restless Anthony Martial but once again very insufficient in the finish before limping out in extra time, Manchester had until then stumbled on a Burnley team always delicate to handle and who had taken 10 points over the last 5 days.
But United know how to travel, with this 7th success, for a draw, in 8 trips since the start of the season.
His next match, Sunday on Matchday 19, will be a big test: the Red Devils will go to Anfield to challenge defending champion Liverpool in a shock at the top.
"We know we are going to the champion who remains for three and a half incredible seasons but (...) we could not wish for a better time to go," coach Ole Gunnar Soslkjaer assured Sky sports.
"We are in good shape, the boys are hungry, they want to improve and pass this personality and quality test again," he added.
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Everton clings to the Top 4:
With in particular a decisive pass from the French side Lucas Digne, who returns well after his injury at the end of November, Everton won a precious success at Wolverhampton (2-1).
With 32 points, the Toffees provisionally grab 4th place, qualifying for the Champions League, ahead of the trio of Tottenham, Manchester City and Southampton (29 points), even if the first two have respectively one and two matches of delay.
The other Liverpool club quickly took the lead by Alex Iwobi (1-0, 6th), receiving the 5th assist in 9 league games for Digne, before Ruben Neves erased this advantage (1- 1, 14e).
But Carlo Ancelotti's men, who have won 5 of their last 6 Premier League games, had the last word thanks to a powerful header from their central defender Michael Keane (2-1, 77th) and can continue to dream of Europe.
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Sheffield finally smiles:
The 18th day was finally the right one for the red lantern Sheffield United, who won their first game of the season against a distressing Newcastle (1-0).
It took a penalty from Billy Sharp - his 100th league goal for the Blades - just over a quarter of an hour from the end (73rd) to win against the Magpies reduced to 10 before the break and after two yellow cards in three minutes for Ryan Fraser (42nd, 45th).
If Sheffield remains dead last with 5 points, 9 lengths from maintenance, it is still a real glimmer of hope in a season where we feel that anything is possible.
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