LONDON: Manchester United relieved some of the pressure on their embattled manager Erik ten Hag by staging a comeback to beat Brentford 2-1, while Tottenham Hotspur bounced back with a 4-1 thrashing of West Ham United on Saturday.
Ten Hag had dismissed rumors about his imminent sacking on Friday, labeling them “fairy tales and lies.” However, the Dutchman is under scrutiny after United’s worst start to a top-flight season since 1989-90.
Brentford took the lead in first-half stoppage time when Ethan Pinnock headed home from a corner. Ten Hag’s frustration was evident as he protested about Matthijs de Ligt’s absence due to a head injury, resulting in a booking for the manager.
United’s resurgence began in the 47th minute when Alejandro Garnacho volleyed Marcus Rashford’s cross into the top corner. Rasmus Hojlund then secured the win in the 62nd minute, finishing Bruno Fernandes’ flick with a deft chip over Brentford’s goalkeeper Mark Flekken.
This victory, United’s first in six games across all competitions and only their third in eight Premier League matches this season, places them 10th in the table. They face a Europa League trip to Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce and a league clash against West Ham next week.
Tottenham Hotspur, recovering from a 3-2 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion, scored three goals in an eight-minute second-half blitz against West Ham. Mohammed Kudus opened the scoring for West Ham, but Dejan Kulusevski equalized before the break. Tottenham took control in the second half with goals from Yves Bissouma, an own goal by West Ham’s goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, and a fourth by Son Heung-min.
Ange Postecoglou’s team secured their third win in four league games, increasing the pressure on West Ham’s new coach Julen Lopetegui following a shaky start to the season. “Second half was outstanding from the lads — good energy, good goals, good football,” said Postecoglou.
Brighton moved up to fifth place with a 1-0 win at Newcastle United, highlighted by Danny Welbeck’s 35th-minute goal before he was stretchered off with a back injury.
Leicester City pulled off a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory against winless Southampton. Cameron Archer and Joe Aribo gave Southampton a two-goal lead, but Leicester’s Facundo Buonanotte, a penalty by Jamie Vardy, and a stoppage-time winner from Jordan Ayew sealed the win.
Aston Villa, unbeaten in nine matches across all competitions, won 3-1 at Fulham. Raul Jimenez opened the scoring, but Villa equalized through Morgan Rogers. Ollie Watkins’ header and an own goal by Fulham’s Joachim Andersen, who was later sent off, secured Villa’s victory.
Everton ended a 16-game winless away streak with a 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town, thanks to goals from Iliman Ndiaye and Michael Keane. Ipswich remains winless in eight league games.
On Sunday, Liverpool, currently leading the league, host sixth-placed Chelsea, while champions Manchester City visit Wolverhampton Wanderers.
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