Not the path to top four – Spurs' disaster, United's only way to win

The Europa League finalists from three months ago had mixed fortunes in this round of the Premier League. While Tottenham deservedly suffered a home defeat to Bournemouth, Manchester United snatched an entirely undeserved victory against Burnley thanks to a controversial penalty awarded in the final seconds of the match.

Bournemouth took an early lead against Tottenham, going into halftime 1-0 up in a lively opening half.

The breakthrough came in the 5th minute when Evanilson played a quick one-two just outside the box and fired a precise shot that found the right post and went in. The goal is HERE!

Two minutes later, he was again in space on the edge of the area after a cross, but his shot narrowly missed the left post, with Tottenham fortunate to avoid conceding again.

Bournemouth continued to press. In the 11th minute, Brooks delivered a neat cross from the right, but Semenyo could not convert from almost five meters out, missing a great chance to double the lead.

In the 21st minute, Brooks tried his luck from distance, but Vicario made a tricky save. Just a minute later, David Brooks followed up a corner kick with a shot inside the box, only to send the ball just over the crossbar, giving Tottenham a goal kick.

Bournemouth’s attacking threat remained high in the 28th minute when Marcus Tavernier received a perfect pass in the box and shot, only for a sliding defender to block his attempt.

Despite Tottenham having moments of pressure, Bournemouth’s early efficiency gave them a deserved 1-0 advantage at halftime.

The second half of the Bournemouth vs. Tottenham match remained tense, with both teams creating chances but failing to find the net.

Bournemouth started brightly. In the 47th minute, Antoine Semenyo found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper and fired a powerful shot down the middle, but Vicario was alert to make a comfortable save. Just two minutes later, Evanilson had another opportunity when he collected a rebound, but his attempt was weak and easily claimed by the goalkeeper.

The visitors continued to struggle in front of goal. In the 66th minute, Marcus Tavernier squandered a golden chance, needing only to tap the ball into the net, but he missed completely.

Tottenham also had moments of danger. In the 69th minute, Lucas Bergvall created space inside the box and fired a strong shot after collecting a rebound, but Djordje Petrovic produced a brilliant reflex save to deny him. Later, in the 79th minute, Wilson Odobert reacted first to a loose ball and had a clear opportunity, yet he blasted the effort high over the crossbar.

Manchester United went into halftime with a 1-0 lead over Burnley after a first half full of chances and drama.

The match started with Matheus Cunha breaking through Burnley’s defense in the 5th minute and firing a long-range shot toward the bottom-left corner, but Dubravka made a strong save.

Bryan Mbeumo then had two excellent chances for Manchester United in the 14th and 15th minutes. First, he controlled the ball well inside the box but was denied by Dubravka, then he drove down the right and shot narrowly past the right post.

In the 16th minute, a clash between Mount and Kyle Walker seemed to earn United a penalty, but after a VAR review, the referee overturned the decision, and Burnley retained possession.

In the 23rd minute, Leny Yoro headed at goal from a cross but sent it over the bar. United got lucky in the 27th minute when Cullen accidentally scored an own goal. Casemiro’s shot hit the crossbar and then rebounded off Cullen into the net, giving United the lead. Shortly after, United suffered a setback as Matheus Cunha was forced off due to injury. The goal is HERE!

Burnley continued to threaten, with Mejbri missing a good chance in the 37th minute. United nearly doubled their lead in the 40th minute when Mount’s header struck the top of the crossbar. In the 45th minute, Bruno Fernandes’ corner found Diallo for a volley, but Dubravka made a solid save. In stoppage time (45+5), Mbeumo set up another opportunity for United, but Diallo’s shot went just wide of the left post.

The second half of Manchester United vs. Burnley saw both sides find the net, with Burnley showing resilience to fight back twice.

The scoring began in the 56th minute when a long ball through the heart of the United defense found Lyle Foster, who calmly finished into the bottom-left corner to level the score for Burnley. The goal is HERE!

United responded almost immediately. Just a minute and a half later, Bryan Mbeumo received a perfect pass on the left side and restored the lead for the Red Devils. You can see the goal HERE!

In the 59th minute, Foster appeared to score again, but he was ruled offside, keeping the scoreline intact. United came close to extending their advantage in the 64th minute when Bruno Fernandes met a corner with a shot from the edge of the box, but his effort went just wide.

Burnley once again drew level in the 67th minute after a chaotic scramble in the United penalty area. A defensive mistake and a poor reaction from the goalkeeper allowed Jaidon Anthony to slot the ball home, making it 2-2. This is the GOAL!

Manchester United had the chance to secure victory in the final minutes of the match when Diallo went down in the penalty area. After reviewing the footage, the referee awarded a penalty to the home side, which Bruno Fernandes converted with precision from the spot.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 3

Saturday

Chelsea - Fulham 2-0 (1-0)

/Joao Pedro 45+9, Fernandez 56 pen/

Man. United - Burnley 3-2 (1-0)

/Cullen 27 (og), Mbeumo 57, Bruno 90+7 - Foster 55, Anthony 66/

Sunderland - Brentford 2-1 (0-0)

/Fee 82 pen, Isidor 90+6 - Thiago 77/

Tottenham - Bournemouth 0-1 (0-1)

/Evanilson 5/

Wolverhampton - Everton 2-3 (1-2)

/Hwang 21, Gomes 79 - Beto 7, Ndiaye 33, Dewsbury-Hall 55/

19.30: (3.35) Leeds (3.45) Newcastle (2.15)

Sunday

16.00: (4.30) Brighton (3.60) Man.City (1.85)

16.00: (1.75) Nott.Forest (3.50) West Ham (5.00)

18.30: (2.20) Liverpool (3.45) Arsenal (3.25)

21.00: (1.95) Aston Villa (3.50) Crystal Palace (3.90)

***odds are subject to change***