Manchester United crisis deepened on Saturday as their winless run extended to nine matches following a damaging 2-0 defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, while Manchester City also suffered a setback after losing 1-0 at home to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League. United began well and looked the more dangerous side before half-time but were unable to find their goals.
The break saw the Blues take a turn for the better with Morgan Rogers putting them on the lead and Cole Palmer doubling the lead from the penalty area. United’s defensive woes took a turn for the worse in the 63rd minute when Lisandro Martinez was booked off for allowing a penalty to score. Palmer was on target from the spot and Michael Carrick now has even more questions to answer about the sides’ unholy terror.
United lost the game for the fourth straight time in the Premier League, and now sit with a record of seven points from nine games. They were only held above relegation due to defeats at Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace. Brighton’s triumph at home, at the Etihad Stadium, helped Manchester City’s problems to keep going. It was the early strike of Yasin Ayari that put City’s bid for an early reply from their last league defeat against Aston Villa out of the running. City sit at 21 points from nine games level with Arsenal, with one less game. Brighton scored 19 points and Chelsea settled for fourth place with 16 points.
Elsewhere Coventry City won a vital 3-1 game against Sunderland to move up out of the relegation zone. Bournemouth beat Leeds United on the night 2-0 with Evanilson scoring in the fourth league game in a row. Brentford also dealt Nottingham Forest a 2-0 defeat which furthered Forest’s winless run to five games.
